Update on avian flu outbreak as cases confirmed in East Lindsey and South Kesteven
Lincolnshire Council have published its latest guidance on keeping birds safe from the virus
Last updated 29th Oct 2022
With the avian flu outbreak continuing to span the county - and the country - Lincolnshire County Council have published updated guidance on how to tackle the virus.
It's as cases of the H5N1 virus have been now confirmed in another location in our region.
According to the authority, the bird flu has been detected in poultry at a premises in East Lindsey and South Kesteven - where a 3km Protection Zone and a 10km Protection Zone have now been put in place by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
The latest bird flu update
On Thursday (October 26), it was confirmed the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was found at a third premises in the region.
Meanwhile, yesterday (October 28), it was also confirmed in other locations outside our region:
- A 14th premises near Attleborough, Breckland, Norfolk
- A 2nd premises near Much Hoole, South Ribble, Lancashire
All poultry on the premises will be humanely culled.
You can see the latest Government updates on the outbreak here.
What's happening in Lincolnshire
Officers from Lincolnshire Trading Standards are set to visit some properties in the 3km Protection Zones - this is to reassure residents and provide advice to businesses.
In addition, other properties may receive a letter with advice and guidance - with anyone with queries encouraged to get in touch with the council.
However, people are being advised to be aware of doorstep scammers. Officers will be carrying ID, they will not ask for any personal or bank details, and they will not ask to enter the premises.
This all follows the Government earlier this month announcing an avian flu protection zone across the whole of Great Britain to help stop the spread of the virus.
If you have not already, you should register your poultry, even if only kept as pets, so you can be contacted you during an outbreak locally. This is a legal requirement if you have 50 or more birds.
According to the latest guidance by the UK Health Security Agency and the Food Standards Agency, the risk of the H5N1 virus to the public is 'very low'.
Guidance for those who see visibly sick birds is 'do not touch'.
If you find dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or other dead wild birds, such as gulls or birds of prey, you should report them to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77, who may then collect these birds to determine the spread of the disease. Otherwise, those that aren't are the landowner's responsibility to dispose of safely.
You can watch the Government's 'Stop the Spread' webinars here.