Bird Flu: Environment Agency confirms presence of disease at third East Anglian farm in Dereham area

The Environment Agency has confirmed a third farm in East Anglia has been affected by bird flu.

The Diss Express reported yesterday more birds were to be culled due to suspicions of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) at another commercial poultry premises in the Watton area.

Now, Defra has revealed bird flu was in fact present at this site, while it has also been confirmed at another farm near Dereham.

All poultry at the former site have already been humanely culled, while Defra said at the latter this will now be done.

Around both affected premises, a three kilometre protection zone and 10 kilometre surveillance zone have been enforced.

These announcements have all come in the wake of a Defra confirming HPAI was found at a site in Watton on Friday, which the Express broke.

The NFU urged farmers and bird owners to be vigilant in the wake of the revelation.

Combined, the enforced zones now stretch from Northall Green, above Dereham, at the top, to Lower Stow Beddon, east of Attleborough, at the bottom.

Further to this, a new case at a premises near Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire, was confirmed.