An avian flu “prevention zone” has been declared across Great Britain as the country battles the largest-ever outbreak of the disease – but where are the current outbreaks across Lancashire?

It is now a legal requirement for all bird keepers in Britain to follow strict measures to protect flocks from avian flu, also known as bird flu, including keeping free-range birds in fenced areas and stringent biosecurity for staff on farms.

The UK has faced its largest ever outbreak of the disease in the past year, with 190 cases confirmed across the country since late October 2021 – 30 of which were confirmed since the beginning of this month.

READ MORE: Bird flu prevention zone declared across Great Britain amid new outbreak

Eight of these cases have been confirmed in Lancashire since October 2021 and control zones are currently in force to prevent further spread of the disease.

When avian influenza is confirmed or suspected in poultry or other captive birds, disease control zones are put in place around the infected premises to prevent the spread of the disease.

Within these zones, a range of restrictions on the movement of poultry and material associated with their keeping can apply.

Across Lancashire, three control zones are currently in force. 

Lancashire Telegraph: Interactive map of bird flu control zones in Lancashire. (Photo: PA/ GOV)Interactive map of bird flu control zones in Lancashire. (Photo: PA/ GOV) (Image: PA/GOV)

A 3km protection zone is in place around Poulton-le-Fylde.

A wider 10km surveillance zone is in force across West Lancashire. This covers Fleetwood, Cleveleys, Poulton-Le-Fylde and parts of Blackpool.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed on 11 October in a flock of other captive birds at premises near Kirkham, Fylde, Lancashire.

A 3km captive bird-controlled zone has been put in place around the premises. All birds here will be humanely culled.

WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, in Burscough, has remained closed to the public on Friday (October 7).

On October 11, they confirmed that there had been a case of bird flu among their collection of birds at the centre.

Outbreaks of bird flu in Lancashire in the last year

Since October 2021, there have been eight confirmed outbreaks of bird flu in Lancashire according to the government website.

Seven of these were in West Lancashire and one in East Lancashire.

Here is a full list of confirmed outbreaks between October 2021 and 2022:

  • October 11 2022: Near Kirkham, Fylde
  • October 8 2022: Near Burscough
  • September 24 2022: Near Poulton-le-Fylde
  • January 7 2022: Near Upholland
  • November 25 2021: Near Poulton-le-Fylde
  • November 26 2021: Near Clitheroe
  • November 12 2021: Near Salwick
  • October 11 2021: Near Kirkham

The UK government’s Animal and Plant Health Agency and UK Health Security Agency say the risk to public health from the virus is very low.

Avian influenza can be carried by wild birds migrating to the UK from mainland Europe during the winter.

If you find a sick or dead bird, do not touch it or pick it up. Instead, call the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs helpline on 03459 335577.