UPDATED: Bird flu confirmed in Cumbria

The first case of bird flu has hit Cumbria.

An alert from the Animal and Plant Agency said avian influenza has been confirmed at a premises near Langwathby.

A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place around the premises. All poultry on the premises will be humanely culled.

Temporary road signs will be put in place along the zone boundaries for awareness. People in direct contact with the premises have been contacted and offered appropriate preventative treatment, health chiefs said.

The response is being led locally by Cumbria County Council, Eden District Council, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Animal and Plant Health Agency and the UK Health Security Agency.

Colin Cox, director of public health for Cumbria County Council, said: “I want to reassure residents that the risk to public health from avian flu is very low.

“However, it is important people do not touch or pick up any sick or dead birds to avoid spreading the virus, which can affect humans in rare cases.

“I would also urge bird keepers to be vigilant for any signs of disease and report any suspected cases to their nearest Animal and Plant Health Agency office.”

If anyone finds any dead swans, geese or ducks or other dead wild birds while out and about, do not touch them, and report them to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77 or online here.

Birdkeepers are asked to remain vigilant and follow stringent biosecurity measures.

In all disease zones, you must:

follow the biosecurity rules to prevent bird flu and stop it spreading
keep a record of anyone that transports or markets poultry or poultry eggs (there are exemptions for table eggs)
follow the rules for marking, sourcing, cutting, transporting and storing fresh meat and meat products
comply with any biosecurity rules imposed by a veterinary inspector
not organise or attend bird gatherings (including bird fairs, markets, shows, sales, exhibitions and some premises used for dealing or internet sales)
not release game birds

In 3km protection zones and 3km temporary control zones, you must:

follow the rules for 10km surveillance zones and 10km temporary control zones
keep poultry and other captive birds housed
follow the instructions from your veterinary inspector to dispose of any bird carcasses
not spread poultry litter, manure or slurry, or remove them from your premises
not move poultry or other captive birds onto or off your premises without a licence (there are exceptions for pets)
not move eggs without a licence (you can move table eggs to wholesale or retail premises to be sold directly to consumers)
not move poultry meat inside or outside the zone, unless you follow the rules in the case declaration

If you’re in a 10km surveillance zone or a 10km temporary control zone, you must:

keep a record of all poultry or poultry eggs that enter or leave your premises, except table eggs that are being moved direct to wholesale or retail premises to be sold directly to consumers
not move poultry, other captive birds, or mammals (including pigs) to or from premises where poultry or other captive birds are kept without a licence (there are exceptions for pets)
not spread poultry litter, manure or slurry, or remove them from your premises

Avian flu started in the northern islands of Scotland in spring and spread along the east coast of England, including in Yorkshire and Lancashire, reaching to Norfolk and Sussex. Cumbria had appeared to escape so far.

There have been 273 confirmed cases since October 2021 and 157 confirmed cases since October 1 2022 in the UK, including