THOUSANDS of ducks have been killed at an East Yorkshire farm, as experts try to contain a case of bird flu.
Pictures have emerged of the grim process at the farm in Nafferton, near Driffield, which have shown some of the dead ducks being tipped into a lorry to be disposed of.
Earlier today, it was confirmed the strain of bird flu found at the duck breeding farm was H5N8 – the same identified in Holland and Germany over the weekend.
The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) says it is a very low risk to human health and no risk to the food chain.
Thousands of ducks at the farm, which is operated by Cherry Valley, are being culled today.
A 1.86-mile protection zone and a six-mile surveillance zone remain around the facility.
A spokeswoman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said there had been no further cases found in the region.
She said: "The cull to prevent the spread of potential infection is being carried out in a safe and humane manner by fully trained APHA staff.
"The advice from the chief medical officer and Public Health England remains that the risk to public health is very low.
"The Food Standards Agency have said there is no food safety risk for consumers."
Bird flu, or avian flu, is an infectious viral illness that spreads among birds and can affect humans.
More than 20 teams of environmental health officers from East Riding Council have been assisting people and businesses with advice, guidance and reassurance in local communities.
Paul Bellotti, head of public protection at East Riding Council, said: "Our officers have been out and about across the identified area to provide practical advice and guidance and gather important data to assist with Defra's investigations."
Officers have visited every registered poultry farm within the protection zone and the surveillance zone, as well as other smaller non-registered poultry and bird keeping premises.
Mr Bellotti said: " The council would like to state that the risk to public health is very low and would also like to reassure residents that poultry and eggs are safe to purchase and eat, subject to normal food preparation.
"Motorists and the travelling public should continue to use any and all routes on the highways network, unless they are advised otherwise, and, unless specifically closed, public footpaths remain open."
The farm is operated by Lincolnshire-based Cherry Valley, which rears seven million Pekin ducks every year. They are typically used for Chinese meals.
John Vernam, managing direction of UK operations for the company, said: "We are working closely with Defra and other agencies and are confident that the controls in place are proportionate to the risks involved.
"We will be continuing our vigilance over the coming days and, like all poultry producers in the area, will be working with the authorities in the ongoing surveillance programme."
For more details on how to spot and report suspected cases of avian flu, visit www.gov.uk/avian-influenza-bird-flu or call 08459 33 55 77.
