EMERGENCY control zones have been put in place after the Government confirmed cases of bird flu.

Avian influenza H5N1 was confirmed in birds at a property in Kirby Cross yesterday, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said.

Both 3km and 10km temporary control zones have been put in place surrounding the affected location.

Testing is now underway to find out how virulent the strain is.

The measures put in place also mean that all birds on the premises will be culled to stop the spread of the disease.

A spokesman for the department said: “Avian influenza H5N1 was confirmed in birds at a premises near Frinton.

“Further testing is underway to confirm the pathogenicity of the strain.

“All birds on the infected premises will be humanely culled.

“When avian influenza is confirmed or suspected in poultry or other captive birds, disease control zones are put in place around the infected premises to prevent the spread of the disease.

“Within these zones a range of restrictions on the movement of poultry and material associated with their keeping can apply.”

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Some of those measures include restrictions on the movement of any poultry, eggs, poultry meat or carcases.

Avian influenza circulates naturally in wild birds who migrate to the UK over the winter, where the disease can spread to poultry.

A total of 26 cases of bird flu were confirmed in poultry and captive birds in the UK between November 2020 and March 2021.

A nearby farmer told the Gazette he was unaware of any poultry farms in the area, so the bird may be privately owned by a resident.

Earlier this month a bird flu prevention zone was declared across Britain to try and stop the disease spreading.

Keepers with more than 500 birds were told to restrict access for non-essential people on their sites, and workers were told to change their clothing before entering bird enclosures.

Owners with smaller numbers of poultry – including chickens, ducks and geese – were told to take steps to limit the risk of the disease spreading to their animals.

UK agencies have stated that the risk to public health from the virus is very low