June 17, 2025

Bird flu outbreak hits poultry farm in Yorkshire, England

A case of bird flu has been confirmed in poultry in West Yorkshire.

The virus was discovered at a site near Ravensthorpe, near Mirfield, on June 11, according to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra).

An almost two-mile (3 kilometres) protection zone and a six-mile (10km) surveillance zone cordon have been put in place around the premises.

It is the latest outbreak in the county of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus.

Defra advised bird keepers to check on the interactive map, to see if they are impacted and read the housing measure declaration, which explains the requirements.

Since December, all poultry and other captive birds in affected parts of England have had to be kept indoors to prevent the spread of bird flu.

The virus, which affects poultry and wild birds, spreads through contaminated feed and water, or through birds' droppings and saliva.

-      BBC News