A FURTHER outbreak of avian flu has been confirmed in North Yorkshire.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)  said  the H5N1 strain had been found in a backyard flock of chickens near Hawes, in Richmondshire yesterday.

Further genetic analysis is underway to confirm whether this is the same strain that has been previously found in wild birds.

A 3km and 10km Temporary Control Zone and 10km Temporary Movement Restriction Zone have been declared around the premises. 

The Northern Echo:

Last month, more than 10,500 turkeys had to culled at a farm near Northallerton after a strain of bird flu was discovered.

Public Health England (PHE) has advised that the risk to the public’s healthfrom all four of the virus strains which have been found in England (H5N2, H5N8, H5N5, H5N1) is very low.

The Food Standards Agency has said that on the basis of the current scientific evidence, avian influenza poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers.

Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.