Avian influenza outbreak in Yorkshire: 48,000 free-range birds infected
21st February 2024
Avian influenza has been confirmed on a Yorkshire free-range farm consisting of 48,000 birds. It is the UK’s first case in months.
The British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA) reported a new outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza at a commercial premises near Hutton Cranswick, East Yorkshire, on Wednesday, 14th February.
A 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone have been declared around the farm. This also means that all the poultry on site will be humanely culled.
It is the first case of bird flu in the UK in months. Since October 2023, only four cases have been confirmed in England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have recorded zero cases of avian influenza since then.
The UK government is set to roll out remote veterinary video inspections for farms impacted by a bird flu outbreak.
READ MORE: Top scientists share new insights on avian flu
READ MORE: Better communication with backyard keepers needed