Highly pathogenic H5N8 identified at two turkey-rearing farms.
There were two new confirmed cases of avian influenza over the weekend in Norfolk, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in poultry and captive birds in the UK to nine.
According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the birds tested positive for highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza.
A 3km Protection and 10km Surveillance Zone has been placed around the infected turkey farms - one located near Attleborough and the other near King's Lynn. Defra said that all birds on the infected farms will be humanely culled to prevent further spread of the disease.
According to the Eastern Daily Press, this is the first time the highly pathogenic strain has been confirmed in Norfolk since 2017.
It follows an announcement from the UK's chief veterinary officers that all bird keepers will be legally required to keep their birds indoors from the 14 December.
This decision runs alongside the current AIPZ measures that were introduced last month following several confirmed cases in captive and wild birds.
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
