AN OUTBREAK of bird flu has been confirmed at a site near Bishop’s Waltham, according to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
The samples taken by Defra officers from a poultry farm near Bishop’s Waltham contained the highly contagious H5N1 virus.
The officers have confirmed that all birds at the farm would be humanely culled.
READ MORE: Winchester pub gets a zero food hygiene rating
They have also introduced a 3km protection zone to restrict the movement of birds and a 10km surveillance zone to observe the condition of birds.
This follows a case of one person in the South West of England catching the bird flu last month.
Bird flu, also known as avian flu, is a type of influenza that spreads among birds.
Some strains of bird flu can pass from birds to people, but this is extremely rare, according to the UKHSA.
It usually requires close contact with an infected bird, so the risk to humans is generally considered very low.
Human-to-human transmission of bird flu is also very rare, the organisation said.
The UK has recently seen a large number of bird flu outbreaks among animals, with the UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss, issuing warnings to bird owners over hygiene.
SEE ALSO: The 21 famous faces who lived and studied in Winchester
The UKHSA has urged people not to touch sick or dead birds.
In a statement earlier, the health protection body said: “Bird to human transmission of avian flu is very rare and has only occurred a small number of times in the UK previously.
“The person acquired the infection from very close, regular contact with a large number of infected birds, which they kept in and around their home over a prolonged period of time.
“All contacts of the individual, including those who visited the premises, have been traced and there is no evidence of onward spread of the infection to anyone else. The individual is currently well and self-isolating.”
Message from the editor
Thank you for reading this story. We really appreciate your support.
Please help us to continue bringing you all the trusted news from Winchester by sharing this story or by following our Facebook page.
Kimberley Barber
Editor
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here