DEFRA has beefed up the bird flu restrictions implemented yesterday after the discovery of H5 bird flu (avian flu) on a farm near Diss, effectively extending the Restricted Zone to cover much of Norfolk and the whole of Suffolk.
This precautionary measure follows consultation with ornithologists and other experts.
The new Restricted Zone requires poultry keepers to isolate poultry from wild birds. Movements within this zone can take place, but movements are not permitted out of the new zone at present.
No movements of poultry are permitted at present in the 3km and 10km zones around the affected farm.
In addition, the national general licence permitting bird gatherings in England has been revoked and bird shows and pigeon racing will not be permitted for the time being.
DEFRA warned that the bird flu restrictions in place may be adjusted again as further information becomes available and in consultation with ornithological and other experts.
The measures follow the confirmation yesterday that turkeys on a unit near Diss on the Norfolk/Suffolk border tested positive for the H5 strain of bird flu.
The premises also contain ducks and geese. All birds on the premises will be slaughtered today.
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The Acting chief vet Fred Landeg told BBC Radio 5 Live that the disease was discovered on Sunday by a vet, who noticed that there had been an increasing number of deaths among turkeys in one of the five sheds on the farm.
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