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Avian influenza found in turkeys at British farm

Xinhua, December 17, 2016 Adjust font size:

Bird flu has been identified at a farm in Lincolnshire of England, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) confirmed on Friday.

Avian flu of the H5N8 strain has been found in more than 5,000 turkeys, the department said.

Most birds at the premises have died and the remaining ones there are due to be culled.

Defra also said it has put in place a 3 km protection zone and a 10 km surveillance zone around the infected farm to limit the risk of the disease spreading.

Public Health England said the risk to public health from the virus is very low and the Food Standards Agency has made clear that bird flu does not pose a food safety risk for British consumers. Thoroughly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.

There has not been a single reported case of H5N8 infecting people anywhere in the world.

Chief veterinary officer Nigel Gibbens said this is the same strain that has been affecting poultry in Europe. Enditem