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Kent villages placed in surveillance zone after outbreak of bird flu across border in Rye

Villages in Kent have been placed in a surveillance zone after an outbreak of bird flu across the border.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) says the flu-type virus has been detected in poultry at a premises near Rye.

An outbreak of bird flu has been detected across the Kent border. Picture: iStock
An outbreak of bird flu has been detected across the Kent border. Picture: iStock

A 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone, which touches several villages in Kent including Newenden, Wittersham and Isle of Oxney, have been set up around the Rye premises.

Keepers in these zones are being told they must follow specific Defra rules, including keeping a record of everyone visiting the premises and all poultry and poultry eggs entering or leaving.

They must also only move poultry, other captive birds and mammals (not including pets) with a licence.

Advice from Kent County Council (KCC) is that keepers must register their birds, maintain high biosecurity standards and immediately report signs of bird flu to help slow the spread of the disease.

Head of Kent Trading Standards Steve Rock said: “High-level biosecurity is a key defence against bird flu and Kent bird keepers should continue following Defra rules.

“This includes registering birds so the Animal and Plant Agency (APHA) can easily contact you.”

A 10km surveillance zone touches several villages in Kent including Newenden, Wittersham and Isle of Oxney. Picture: APHA
A 10km surveillance zone touches several villages in Kent including Newenden, Wittersham and Isle of Oxney. Picture: APHA

KCC director of public health Dr Anjan Ghosh said: “The UK Health Security Agency has confirmed bird flu poses a very low risk to the general public’s health.

“The Food Standards Agency has also said bird flu does not present a food safety risk for UK consumers.

“But when you are out and about enjoying Kent’s great green spaces, help reduce the spread of the disease by limiting your interaction with wild birds who can naturally carry it.

“Stick to paths, keep dogs on leads, and report, but don’t touch, dead birds.”

Affected keepers must refer to information received from APHA about the specific restrictions that will apply to them.

Bird flu spreads more easily at this time of year because it is endemic in wild birds that migrate to the UK to see out the winter

Signs of the disease in poultry or other kept birds should be reported to the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301.

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