Cull of 8,000 ducks after avian flu outbreak at Norfolk farm
© Tim Scrivener About 8,000 ducks are being culled following an avian flu outbreak at a farm run by the UK’s largest supplier of ducks to supermarkets.
The highly pathogenic H5N8 strain of the disease was detected in a duck at Homelea Farm, in Great Ellingham, near Attleborough, on Sunday 20 December.
Defra said all 8,000 breeding ducks at the farm would be humanely culled.
See also: Avian influenza prevention tips and how to handle an outbreak
In addition, a 1.8m (3km) protection zone and a 6.2m (10km) surveillance zone has been put in place around the infected premises to limit the risk of the disease spreading.
The latest outbreak follows two separate confirmed avian flu cases earlier this month at nearby poultry farms in Norfolk.
Abbout 55,000 turkeys were culled at farms near Kings Lynn and at Snetterton – only 1.8m away from the latest outbreak.
A Defra spokesperson said a “detailed veterinary investigation” was ongoing.
“All possible routes of onward transmission the infected premise to other poultry and captive birds are being followed up to protect animal health from further avian influenza infection – this includes tracing all products from the infected premises,” the spokesperson added.
Homelea Farm is run by Green Label Poultry, which is the “exclusive producer” of Gressingham duck.
In a statement, the company said: “An outbreak of avian influenza strain H5N8 was confirmed in a Green Label Poultry duck flock near Attleborough, Breckland, Norfolk, on 20 December 2020.
“The 3km and 10km temporary control zone has been revoked and replaced by a 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone.
“There have been no movements of eggs, birds or other materials off the premises since 3 December.
“The welfare of our birds is an absolute priority, and we work to the highest standards in hygiene, biosecurity and animal welfare across all our farms.”
Housing measures
New housing measures came into force in England, Scotland and Wales on 14 December to help protect poultry and captive birds, following a number of confirmed cases of avian influenza in both wild and captive birds in the UK.
Therefore, it is now a legal requirement for all bird keepers to keep their birds indoors and to follow strict biosecurity measures to limit the spread of and eradicate the disease.
The risk to the public from the H5N8 strain is “very low”, according to Public Health England.
· Poultry farmers and the public should report dead wild birds to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77 (option 7), and keepers should report suspicion of disease to the Animal and Plant Health Agency on 03000 200 301.