Protection zone declared after deadly Bird Flu found in Warwickshire
A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place
A protection zone in Warwickshire has been declared after a deadly case of Bird Flu was found in Warwickshire.
Avian influenza H5N1, one of the deadliest strains of Bird Flu, was detected at a poultry unit near Bidford, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) reported.
Anyone who keeps poultry within the 3km protection zone will be required to isolate their birds and record the name and address of any visitors.
A 10km surveillance zone has also been installed, where poultry owners in the area do not have to isolate their birds but must also keep detailed visitor records.
A veterinary inspector must confirm any movement of poultry or eggs outside of the surveillance zone.
Warwickshire is the latest region to have a protection zone, with Disease Control Zones remaining in Chirk, Wrexham, Worcester and in the Angus area of Scotland.
There's also been multiple findings of H5N1 in wild birds in high risk areas across Great Britain.
How dangerous is the H5N1 strain and how can I catch Bird Flu?
Bird Flu can affect lots of different species of birds, including geese, ducks, turkeys and chickens.
As birds that are infected with the strain do not always get sick, there's a risk posed to people who come into contact with seemingly healthy birds.
Avian influenza H5N1 is a subtype of Bird Flu that is difficult to immunise against, due to it being considered a highly pathogenic, fast-mutating strain.
World Health Organisation data shows that between 2003 and 2021 there were 456 deaths caused by 863 infections, which means the disease has a fatality rate of 52%.
This type of Bird Flu can also severely affect farmer income, with there being potential restrictions on the transport and sale of poultry and eggs.
Animal mortality rates can also increase, with some outbreaks of the Flu in East Asia leading to the deaths of millions of birds.
Bird Flu is transmitted through direct contact with dead or alive birds, their droppings, or secretions from their eyes or respiratory tract, but it cannot be spread through cooked food.