H5N8 discovered on 2nd Lincolnshire turkey farm

Government officials have said it is unlikely that there is a direct link with the virus found on a nearby farm on 16 December, though an investigation is underway to confirm this.

H5N8 strikes 2nd UK farm

The farm, which housed about 6,000 turkeys, had experienced high mortality before vets were called in to test for H5N8, and the remaining birds will be humanely culled.

A 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone have been established around the site, just outside Fulstow, near Louth, Lincs.

Minimising contact with wild birds

Chief vet Nigel Gibbens said vigilance and minimising contact between wild birds would remain crucial.

“This means complying with the legal requirement currently in place to house birds or otherwise keep them separate from wild birds and following strict biosecurity measures to minimise the risk of avian flu spreading via the environment.”

The H5N8 strain has been found in wild birds across the UK, in backyard poultry flocks – one of which had not been housed – and another turkey farm in Lincolnshire.

It has also been found across the European continent, leading to the death of tens of thousands of chickens, ducks and other poultry.