Steps taken to stop bird flu spreading from Ross-on-Wye farm

The council said it was supporting government vets by helping to tackle an outbreak of avian flu at a poultry farm in Foy, north of Ross-on-Wye.

Immediate steps have been taken to limit the risk of the disease spreading, it said, and its officers had already contacted all the residents within the three-kilometre protection zone to ensure compliance with the requirements of the protection zone.

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There is also a 10-kilometre surveillance zone in a bid to stop the contagious disease from spreading.

Marc Willimont, head of public protection at Herefordshire Council, said: “This is the first avian flu outbreak of the season and fortunately it is in a very rural area of Herefordshire, which helps us to prevent it spreading.

"We are currently taking measures to tackle this outbreak, and the most important thing is that keepers of poultry and captive birds continue to follow the guidance to keep birds inside and to be vigilant for any signs of disease.

“Members of the public have no reason to worry; the risk to public health from the virus is very low and the UK Food Standards Agency advises that properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, remain safe to eat.”

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Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) is in an avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ). By law, bird owners must follow strict biosecurity rules to prevent bird flu and stop it spreading.

In England and Wales, the AIPZ also means you must house your birds to protect them from bird flu.

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Herefordshire Council said bird keepers should visit the gov.uk website for full details of the AIPZ and updated biosecurity guidance.

Do not touch or pick up any dead or sick birds that you find, it said.

Anyone who finds dead swans, geese or ducks or other dead wild birds, such as gulls or birds of prey, should report them to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 3459 33 55 77

Keepers should report any suspicion of disease to Animal and Plant Health Agency on 03000 200 301.