An Essex poultry farmer says bird flu would mean he'd "lose everything"

An Essex poultry farmer who lost 30% of his turkeys to bird flu two years ago says he "doesn't want to go through it again".

It's after the first case of Avian influenza was confirmed since the declaration of zonal freedom in February 2024..

DEFRA says the whole flock on the infected premises in East Riding of Yorkshire will have to be "humanely culled" to prevent further spread, and a "3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone has been put in place surrounding the premises".

They've urged all bird keepers to take action to protect their birds and report signs of disease, as well as reiterating the "risk to the general public’s health from the virus is very low".

The UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer is urging all bird keepers to follow scrupulous biosecurity measures following the confirmation of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N5 in poultry in East Riding of Yorkshire.

Paul Kelly from Kelly Turkeys near Chelmsford tells Greatest Hits Radio Essex, "two years ago it was out of control."

"This one isolated case in East Riding, hopefully it won't spread. We're all very much touching wood", says Mr Kelly.

In 2022, Kelly farms was infected with Avian influenza "wiping out the entire flock".

Mr Kelly says, "to put it in perspective, we had 6000 turkeys on one holding and we lost all but three turkeys in the space of 48 hours."

"It's such a pathogenic disease, it's awful, I don't want that to happen again."

Within these disease control zones restrictions on the movement of poultry and other captive birds, carcases, eggs, used poultry litter and manure apply.

Bird keepers in the disease control zones will have the opportunity to apply for movement licences for some specific low risk movements from the zones. Within the 3km protection zone bird keepers must also house their birds to protect them.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said that avian influenza is primarily a disease of birds and the risk to the general public’s health is very low but people should not touch any dead or sick wild birds they find.

The Food Standards Agency advises that properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, remain safe to eat.

UK Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss, said:

“Avian influenza (‘bird flu’) has been confirmed in poultry at a premises in East Riding of Yorkshire. Immediate steps have been taken to limit the risk of the disease spreading and all remaining poultry at the farm will be humanly culled.

“Winter is a greater risk period for avian influenza and this case demonstrates that, now is the time if you are a bird keeper to ensure you have very robust biosecurity. Bird keepers must remain alert for any signs of disease and report suspected disease immediately.”

Keepers can check if they are in a bird flu disease control zone using the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s (APHA) interactive map.

In Great Britain members of the public are encouraged to report findings of dead wild birds using the online reporting system or by calling the Defra helpline (03459 33 55 77).

The latest information and guidance on bird flu can be found at gov.uk/birdflu

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