Attleborough "highly pathogenic" bird flu prompts immediate cull

The presence of bird flu at a farm has led to all it's turkeys being culled.

Cases of a "highly pathogenic" H5N8 avian flu virus have been found at a farm near Attleborough by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs over the weekend.

The virus was detected in the farm's turkey population, with protocols to contain the spread now demanding the cull of all birds on the premises.

An estimated 30,000 birds would be housed in an average poultry farm in the UK.

A statement from DEFRA on the outbreak, said: "Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N8 has been confirmed in rearing turkeys at a premises near Attleborough, Breckland, Norfolk. A 3km Protection and 10km Surveillance Zone has been put in place around the infected premises."

A farm near Kings Lynn has also recorded at least one case of the same strain of avian flu in recent days.