Today’s bird flu epidemic in Dorset has been confirmed by the culling of 39 ducks after an outbreak caused by H5N1 virus.
Southbourne, Bournemouth was the first to detect the strain.
In an effort to stop its spread, the Government and local officials of health are performing door-to–door testing within the region in search for additional cases.
To prevent animals from moving, they have constructed a temporary exclusion zone of 3km around Castlemain Avenue.
Elsa Hatton from Southbourne reported that one case of Avian Influenza H5N1 was found in her 39 duck flock.
The eggs were sold to the community. Since then, they have been killed.
A Southbourne, Bournemouth premises was found to have the H5N1 strain of Avian Influenza (stock photo)
Government and local health officials have constructed a 3km temporary exclusion zone centred around Castlemain Avenue to prevent animal movements
She told Dorset Live that she and her husband sold eggs for five-years to Christchurch residents. They made new contacts and formed wonderful friendships by selling eggs in Southbourne over five years.
“We are heartbroken because ducks are so happy and are very much part of the family.
‘We’ll get some more ducks in due course, probably in the Spring.’
Mrs Hatton shared an obituary for the ducks and a photograph before their culling.
DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) has confirmed that the birds were present at the site. The area is currently being tested.
Any other birds that present a danger to the bird will be shot.
A BCP Council spokesperson said: ‘Trading Standards Officers from BCP Council are working alongside officers from the Government’s Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA) with measures to prevent the spread of the disease.
These measures include culling birds that are directly at risk and additional investigation of premises where birds are kept, or being raised.
Please be aware that there is a Temporary Control Zone of 3km around Castlemain Avenue. This zone has restrictions on animal movements.
APHA/BCP Council officers will be calling on doorknobs in the area from tomorrow in search of potential additional cases. These officers will have ID.
Peter Haikin is the Regulatory Services Manager. He stated: “Avian Influenza mainly affects birds and it is not considered an illness that poses a danger to people.”
Following an Avian Flu outbreak, all bird-keepers in Great Britain must now undergo biosecurity procedures.
Also, bird flu cases were reported in Warwickshire (West Midlands), Essex (Lancashire), North Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and Lancashire.
DEFRA, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, has confirmed the bird case at the location. This area is currently under testing (stock picture).
People in Lancashire were warned last week not to collect sick or dying birds from poultry farms after the outbreak of bird influenza.
The affected area in Salwick was near Preston was designated as a temporary zone of control.
BBC reports that a protective zone was established in North Yorkshire, after H5N1-infected birds were found.
Defra has confirmed that the bird flu strain was detected at a Hambleton property close to Leeming Bar. Testing was ongoing.
After a few cases of bird flu in wild and captive birds from England, Wales, and Scotland, an area of prevention was established in the nation.
After the discovery of avian flu in birds at several locations across the UK, the UK’s farm and birdkeepers were notified to increase their biosecurity.
Keepers of more than 500 birds will be required to limit access to their site by the Avian Influenza Prevention zone (AIPZ).