Bird Flu Outbreak in Lincolnshire Prompts Protection Zone
The recent outbreak of avian influenza H5N1, commonly known as bird flu, in a commercial poultry site near Donington, Spalding, has imposed a strict 3km protection zone in Lincolnshire. The zone was put into place on Thursday, November 9 at 6:45pm, and no endpoint has been announced as yet. A 10km surveillance zone also surrounds the affected property to effectively contain the disease.
What is Being Done to Help at the Ground Level
In response to the outbreak, Officers from Lincolnshire Trading Standards will be conducting visits in the zone to provide guidance to businesses and reassure residents, says the county council. The restriction measures may sound alarming, but the UK Health Security Agency insists that the risk to public health is "very low".
Restrictions and Guidelines Imposed by the Council
The prominent restrictions in a disease control zone include no movement of poultry, eggs, poultry products, and other captive birds. Even mammals' movement to and from the impacted premises is prohibited. Local bird owners have been advised to report any suspected cases of avian flu to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs immediately, while avoiding personal contact with any dead or visibly ill birds.
The bird flu is primarily a bird disease, warns the council. But there have been instances of it spreading to cats who've ingested infected birds. However, no cases of birds flu transmission to dogs have ever been confirmed.
The Current Scenario in England
This recent report is the first of its kind since October 1 in England. The country has seen almost 295 cases of avian flu since the beginning of October 2021.