Bird flu outbreak hits chicken farm in Suffolk
An outbreak of bird flu has been identified at a commercial chicken farm in Suffolk.

A 'low pathogenic avian flu of the H5 strain' was identified at the farm, which had 27,000 chickens. The birds will now be culled, and a 1km exclusion zone near the village of Athelington has been put in place.
'Public Health England has confirmed that the risk to public health is very low and the Food Standards Agency has said that bird flu does not pose a food safety risk for UK consumers,' said Christine Middlemiss, chief veterinary officer of DEFRA.
'Bird keepers should remain alert for any signs of disease, report suspected disease immediately and ensure they are maintaining good biosecurity on their premises.
'We are urgently looking for any evidence of disease spread associated with this strain to control and eliminate it.'
The outbreak of the virus is the first in Britain for almost four years — the last was in Dunfermline in 2016. Thankfully, this outbreak involves a 'a less serious strain of H5 avian influenza', according to DEFRA. Affected birds suffer 'mild breathing problems' but 'will not always show clear signs of infection.'
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
Toby Keel is Country Life's Digital Director, and has been running the website and social media channels since 2016. A former sports journalist, he writes about property, cars, lifestyle, travel, nature.
-
What everyone is talking about this week: 'People who tended to be more obedient about lockdown are now its fiercest critics'
Week in, week out, Will Hosie rounds up the hottest topics on everyone's lips, in London and beyond.
-
From the archive: 'This retina-awakening advert for British Nylon Spinners Limited sums up the swinging 1960s perfectly'
Every Monday, Melanie Bryan, delves into the hidden depths of Country Life's extraordinary archive to bring you a long-forgotten story, photograph or advert.