An outbreak of bird flu has been confirmed in West Dorset.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 was yesterday (Thursday) confirmed in captive birds near Dorchester.
A disease control zone was put in place around the premises at 7pm last night, a 3km Captive Bird (Monitoring) Controlled Zone.
All the birds at the site are to be humanely culled.
This outbreak is currently the only one in the south west. Cases in the east of the UK continue to increase and this has resulted in a third of free range turkeys destined for the Christmas dinner table to have already been culled.
This is the worst outbreak of bird flu that the UK has ever seen, with 139 confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 confirmed since October 1, 2022.
All bird keepers in a bird flu disease zone must follow the strict biosecurity rules for that zone.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here