A case of H7N7 bird flu has been confirmed at a farm in Lancashire, northern England. Authorities have set up a six-mile surveillance zone and three-mile “protection zone” to stop the disease from spreading.
Sky News says H7N7 can spread to humans, but it is not considered to be as deadly as the H5N1 strain that has claimed hundreds of lives worldwide.
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said that a humane culling of birds on the farm had taken place, with chief veterinary officer Nigel Gibbens adding:
“Final tests results have confirmed a case of avian flu at a farm in Lancashire. Restrictions put in place last week will continue and the humane culling of all birds at the site is progressing. These actions are part of our tried and tested approach to dealing with previous outbreaks.
“Public Health England has confirmed that the risk to public health from this strain is very low. The Food Standards Agency has said there is no food safety risk for consumers.”
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