The boss of an animal sanctuary says her “heart is numb” after revealing her birds are at the centre of an outbreak of avian flu - and will all have to be culled.

Amey James, who runs Happy Pants Ranch in Newington, near Sittingbourne, shared her anguish via the charity’s Facebook page this evening.

“Last night I got the devastating news that some of the sanctuary birds had tested positive for avian influenza,” she wrote.

“After several ducks suddenly fell ill and sadly passed away very quickly last week, we had the vets out who thought we were dealing with a toxicity case.

“At first it was just the ducks affected so it was assumed it might be a water issue.”

She said vets from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) came out on Friday to investigate and carry out a post mortem, but initially deemed it not to be bird flu.

However, more birds continued to fall ill, first the turkeys and then the cockerels.

Amey continued: “The passings kept rising with the poultry not having any symptoms, unlike the ducks, so it even seemed we were dealing with two different types of illness.

“APHA came out again on Sunday to take swabs, bloods, samples and more post mortems… and then yesterday evening I got the news.

“This means that ALL remaining birds at the sanctuary will now have to be culled. Even the healthy ones, even the rheas and emu. My heart is numb.

“I don’t think in all my 10 years of running the sanctuary and keeping birds, I’ve ever had a more devastating blow - and there’s definitely been a few over the recent years.. but this has ripped mine - and all the crews’ - hearts right out. I can’t even begin to explain it.”

Amey said the vets and APHA had said there was nothing that could have been done to prevent it, despite having biosecurity measures in place.

“With only eight other recorded cases of confirmed avian flu in the UK this year, APHA said it was just a lottery and we were just extremely unlucky to get it,” she added.

“So tomorrow at 8am APHA will arrive to cull the remaining 61 birds, including ducks, geese, hens, cockerels, seagulls, rhea, emu, pigeons and pheasants.

“Needless to say, especially dealing with this on my own as volunteers haven’t been allowed on site whilst tests were ongoing, the last five days have been the most upsetting I’ve ever experienced on The Ranch and tomorrow I imagine will be the very worst.

“The only tiny amount of consolation I can take from all this is that, none of these birds would have even been alive if it weren’t for The Ranch. And at least in the years they’ve been here they’ve had more love, care and freedom any one could ever wish for.

“Please keep all the animals and crew in your thoughts as we go through this immensely difficult time.

“I’m not actually quite sure how I’m going to make it through this but thank you all in advance for all your love and support.”

Yesterday, the government confirmed bird flu had been found in Kent and a 3km control zone had been set up around the premises close to Newington.

Owners of birds in this vicinity will have to monitor and safely house them. The animals cannot be moved elsewhere at this time.

People are also required to keep a record of visitors and whether they come into contact with any of the birds.

Hen Weekend Chicken Boarding boss Katriona Shovlin told her customers she will be temporarily shut.

Her special hotel is in Susans Lane near Upchurch, which is just within the controlled zone, which covers Lower Halstow, Bobbing and Funton.

On Facebook, she said: “This means, by law, all poultry must be housed or kept fully enclosed, and no birds can move on or off the premises until restrictions are lifted by APHA.

“Because of this, Hen Weekend will be temporarily closed for new arrivals and departures.”

Chief Veterinary Officer Gordon Hickman announced the new measures at 7pm yesterday (October 27).

While the disease primarily affects birds, some strains can spread to humans through close contact with infected animals or contaminated environments.

People could get a range of symptoms, from mild flu-like illness to severe respiratory disease.

An APHA spokesperson said: “An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) with mandatory biosecurity measures is also in force across Great Britain.

“All bird keepers must follow the stringent biosecurity measures in addition to following any protection/surveillance zone restrictions in their area to prevent future outbreaks.”

It is the 10th recorded case of bird flu in the UK this year. Already this month, protection zones have been put in place in Yorkshire, Cumbria, Suffolk and Lancashire.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) advises that bird flu is primarily a disease of birds and the risk to the general public’s health is very low.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has said bird flu poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers. Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.