Bird flu outbreak at farm results in 1km restriction zone and up to 300 homes affected

A bird flu outbreak at a farm in Cheshire has forced authorities to put a 1km restriction zone in place – affecting up to 300 homes.

Workers at the poultry site in Tarporley raised the alarm after noticing some of the birds had become unwell.

A multi-agency response has been launched and a restriction zone established to stop the spread of infection, reports Cheshire Live.

Officials say the zone will affect between 200 and 300 properties, although the movement of people is not restricted.

The birds affected by the outbreak are currently being culled to ensure there is no further spread.

Test results have identified that the strain of avian flu is a low pathogenic case, which means it is less likely to cause death.

But this also means it is more difficult to spot in the early stages.

Public Health England has confirmed that the risk to public health is very low and there is also no connection with coronavirus.

Cheshire West and Chester Council is also working with the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and other partners to respond to the outbreak.

Officers will be going door-to-door in the restricted area to explain the situation and to establish if any of these properties are being used to keep poultry.

Cheshire West and Chester Director of Public Health, Ian Ashworth, said: “We are working closely with Public Health England and other partners on this incident.

“The risk to public health from the virus is very low and avian influenzas pose a very low food safety risk.