Rosudgeon, St. Ives, Cornwall (ChatnewsTV) — Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 has been confirmed in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, St. Ives, in Cornwall, prompting the culling of all poultry on the infected site.
This was made know in a joint statement released on Sunday by the U.K Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Animal and Plant Health Agency.
According to the statement, a 3-kilometer protection zone and a 10-kilometer surveillance zone have been established around the affected area.
“This confirmation of HPAI H5N1 marks the first case in kept birds this season, following recent detections of HPAI H5N5 in both wild and domesticated birds across England,” a government spokesperson said.
“All poultry on the infected premises will be humanely culled to prevent the spread of the virus.”
The current outbreak follows recent cases of HPAI H5N1 detected in wild birds in the South West of England and in continental Europe. The UK government has urged bird keepers in affected areas to adhere to strict biosecurity measures to limit the spread of the disease.
“We encourage poultry owners to remain vigilant and practice good biosecurity at all times to protect the health and welfare of their birds,” the spokesperson added.
“If you are in a bird flu disease control zone, it is crucial to follow the designated rules and seek a licence if moving poultry or related products.”
As part of ongoing monitoring, the government has imposed new registration requirements for bird keepers across Great Britain, while urging all to stay informed about bird flu risks, particularly as the outbreak continues to evolve. The spread of HPAI H5N1 in wild and kept birds is a growing concern, with heightened precautions in place across affected regions.
The risk to public health remains low, according to the UK Health Security Agency, with the Food Standards Agency confirming that properly cooked poultry and eggs are safe to consume.
Editor: Gabriel Ani
