On Monday (9th January), the Protection Zone surrounding the farm premises where the first UK outbreak in a spate of bird flu cases was detected in December was lifted. Officials said there is no evidence of disease transmission to other premises in the area.

Defra confirmed that the 3km zone surrounding the Lincolnshire farm where the initial outbreak occurred has been lifted, but that a 10km surveillance zone remains in place. Since 16th December, when H5N8 bird flu that has been circulating in Europe was detected on a turkey farm near Louth, there have been a number of outbreaks in wild birds and backyard flocks throughout Britain, including most recently a small backyard flock of chickens and ducks in Settle, North Yorkshire.

Current evidence suggests there has been no transmission between cases in domestic birds in the UK, unlike France, where by the end of last week there had been 95 cases reported on farms and five in wild birds, with evidence of transmission occurring farm-to-farm.

Last week, the Chief Vet announced that a country-wide prevention zone, obliging bird keepers to follow strict biosecurity measures and banning gatherings featuring susceptible bird species, will remain in place until 28th February.

Public Health England has said there is no evidence that the flu - which is exceptionally severe in birds - poses a risk to humans. More information on the disease is available here; the page is being updated regularly by Defra.