Two bird flu cases confirmed near Suffolk village

Two cases of bird flu have been confirmed close to a mid-Suffolk village, including one case in captive birds within a backyard flock.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said a 3km (1.9-mile) protection zone had been put in place around the backyard site near Bacton on Monday.

Nearby, a case of the H5N1 virus was also found in commercial poultry, and all birds on the premises would be humanely culled and a similar protection zone put in place, Defra said.

Nine cases of bird flu have been confirmed in the county since October.

An "avian influenza prevention zone" came into force for the whole country on 6 November, affecting sellers of poultry products and keepers with more than 50 birds.

The disease is caused by a virus that infects birds and sometimes other animals, including foxes, seals and otters.

Defra said the risk to the public was very low, but advised people to avoid touching or moving any dead or sick wild birds.

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