Bird flu

Tests have confirmed that a disease which killed 2,600 turkeys on a farm at Holton, Suffolk, is the deadly H5N1 strain. This is the variety of the virus which could potentially mutate into a form, contagious to humans. All 159,000 turkeys on the farm will now have to be destroyed. An exclusion zone has been set up, shown on map below. Holton is located 17 miles southwest of Lowestoft. More details here.

1: Scene of outbreak

All poultry to be culled

Visitors disinfected and restricted access

2: 3km Protection Zone

Poultry kept indoors and tested

3: 10km Surveillance Zone

No movement of poultry to or from area except for slaughter

Rail transport restricted to non-stopping movements

Bird fairs and markets banned

Increased surveillance of wetland areas

Domestic birds not to share water used by wild birds

Footpath restrictions likely only on free-range farms

People in towns not affected unless they keep poultry.

Source: Defra