THERE are no longer any cases of bird flu in Dorset, despite avian influenza rising across the UK, according to the latest figures.

The government has confirmed 83 cases of bird flu in England with a further four cases in Wales and Scotland.

As a result the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has implemented disease control zones at a number of locations across Britain.

Disease control zones are put in place when bird flu is confirmed in poultry; all the birds on the infected premises are culled and protection zones and surveillance zones can be put in place.

In response a temporary control zone was declared covering all of Bournemouth, most of Christchurch and Poole as well as East Dorset following an outbreak of bird flu near Pokesdown in November.

A 3km Temporary Control Zone was constructed around an area centred on Castlemain Avenue at the time with regard to animal movements.

A statement from Defra and the Animal Plant Health Agency said: “Avian influenza H5N1 was confirmed in birds at a premises near Pokesdown, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole on November 19.

“Further testing confirmed this to be a highly pathogenic strain (HPAI H5N1). All birds on the infected premises have been humanely culled.

“Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance within the zone the 10km Surveillance Zone, declared on December 20, has now been revoked.”

Defra said all bird keepers are encouraged to maintain high standards of biosecurity as good practice for the health of their birds, and that good biosecurity is an essential defence against diseases such as avian influenza and is key to limiting the spread of avian influenza in an outbreak.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said that avian influenza is primarily a disease of birds and the risk to the general public’s health is very low.

The Food Standards Agency has said that on the basis of the current scientific evidence, avian influenza poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers. Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.

Avian influenza is unconnected with Covid-19.