The Government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has confirmed a case of avian influenza in poultry at a premises in north Bexhill.
All poultry on the premises have been humanely culled, and Defra has set up a 3-kilometre Protection Zone and a 10-kilometre Surveillance Zone around the premises.
Anyone who lives within the 3km protection zone and keeps poultry will, from next week, be contacted to ask them to complete a survey of birds kept. This will help scientists assess the risk of spread among birds.
Birds within the 3km zone should be kept housed, not outdoors. No movement of birds or eggs should take place within, or out of, the 3km zone except under license.
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.
However, if you find any dead wild birds in any location, including swans, ducks, geese, gulls, or birds of prey, please report to the DEFRA helpline at 03459 33 55 77. Do not touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds that you find. Keep dogs on a lead.
