Bird flu strain on UK farm identified as H5N8
Some 6,000 ducks are being culled
The strain of bird flu found on a duck breeding farm in East Yorkshire has been identified as H5N8, the same type seen in recent outbreaks in Europe.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the risk to public health remained very low.
The strain is very dangerous for bird life and could potentially affect humans, although only through very close contact with the affected birds.
Some 6,000 ducks are being culled at the farm in Nafferton, near Driffield.
A Defra spokeswoman said: "The cull to prevent the spread of potential infection is being carried out in a safe and humane manner by fully-trained staff.
"Our response to this outbreak follows tried and tested procedures for dealing with avian flu outbreaks and we expect the cull to be completed later today.
"Additionally, our animal health laboratory at Weybridge has confirmed that the outbreak of avian influenza in East Yorkshire is the H5N8 strain.
"The advice from the chief medical officer and Public Health England remains that the risk to public health is very low. The Food Standards Agency have said there is no food safety risk for consumers."
EU officials have said migratory birds heading south for winter are probably responsible for the Yorkshire bird flu case and the recent outbreaks in the Netherlands and Germany.
Bird flu strain on UK farm identified as H5N8
Some 6,000 ducks are being culled
The strain of bird flu found on a duck breeding farm in East Yorkshire has been identified as H5N8, the same type seen in recent outbreaks in Europe.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the risk to public health remained very low.
The strain is very dangerous for bird life and could potentially affect humans, although only through very close contact with the affected birds.
Some 6,000 ducks are being culled at the farm in Nafferton, near Driffield.
A Defra spokeswoman said: "The cull to prevent the spread of potential infection is being carried out in a safe and humane manner by fully-trained staff.
"Our response to this outbreak follows tried and tested procedures for dealing with avian flu outbreaks and we expect the cull to be completed later today.
"Additionally, our animal health laboratory at Weybridge has confirmed that the outbreak of avian influenza in East Yorkshire is the H5N8 strain.
"The advice from the chief medical officer and Public Health England remains that the risk to public health is very low. The Food Standards Agency have said there is no food safety risk for consumers."
EU officials have said migratory birds heading south for winter are probably responsible for the Yorkshire bird flu case and the recent outbreaks in the Netherlands and Germany.
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