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More than 10,000 turkeys will be slaughtered on a North Yorkshire farm after an outbreak of bird flu.
It occurs after the presence of avian influenza strain H5N8 was confirmed at a turkey farm near Northallerton.
An exclusion zone has been established around the infected site to limit the risk of spreading the disease, and a detailed investigation is underway to try to identify the most likely source of the outbreak.
It is not expected to have an impact on the supply of turkeys or other birds during Christmas.
Public Health England (PHE) has said that the public health risk from the virus is very low.
Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said: “Bird flu has been confirmed at a commercial turkey fattening farm near Northallerton, North Yorkshire. Immediate steps have been taken to limit the risk of the disease spreading and all remaining turkeys in the farm will be euthanized.
“PHE has confirmed that the risk to public health is very low and the Food Standards Agency warns that avian flu poses a very low food safety risk to UK consumers.
“Poultry farmers must remain vigilant for any signs of disease, report suspected disease immediately and ensure that they maintain good biosecurity in their facilities.
“We are urgently looking for any evidence of disease spread associated with this farm to control and eliminate it.”
Dr. Gavin Dabrera, Acute Respiratory Infections Consultant at PHE said: “To date, the World Health Organization has never confirmed any human cases of H5N8 and the risk to the public is considered very low.”
A spokesperson for the Food Standards Agency said bird flu presents a very low food safety risk, adding: “Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are still safe to eat.”
Wild birds migrating from continental Europe during the winter period can transmit the disease to poultry and other captive birds.
