The Government has said it has not been possible to rule out the presence of disease in farmed birds at a further linked premises in Lancashire.
Following epidemiological investigations Defra has decided to cull all birds at a premises with very close links to other affected game farms in Lancashire.
The UK’s Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer confirmed H5N8 avian flu on 27 January in a flock of pheasants at a farm in Wyre, Lancashire.
In order to contain the possible spread of disease, the Chief Veterinary Officer Nigel Gibbens has today (30 January) confirmed that proactive culling of 63,000 birds, including pheasants, partridges and ducks, will take place.
The premises will then be cleansed and disinfected, further reducing the risk that disease can be spread to other birds.
Investigations will continue and the restrictions already placed on the sites will remain in force until cleansing and disinfection is finished and the investigation is complete.
Public Health England advises that the risk to public health from the virus is very low and the Food Standards Agency is clear that bird flu does not pose a food safety risk for UK consumers.
