A new case of avian influenza, or bird flu, has been confirmed at a premises in Lancashire.

The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed on 7 January 2022 in birds at a non-commercial premises near Upholland in West Lancashire.

This comes just days after the first human case of avian flu was detected in Devon.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency recently confirmed the latest Lancashire outbreak and gave an update on the new bird flu case.

A spokesperson said all infected birds on the Upholland premises will be “humanely culled”.

A 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone has been put in place around the premises in order to prevent the flu from spreading.

A spokesperson for Lancashire County Council issued a warning to the public and said: “Do not touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds that you find.

“If you find dead wild birds you should report them to the helpline (03459 33 55 77).”

It’s not the first time a case of bird flu has been reported in Lancashire in recent months.

In November, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) have confirmed that a case had been found at a premises near Clitheroe, Ribble Valley.

Two swans and a Canadian goose also died of bird flu at Blackpool’s Stanley Park.

There are currently 64 cases of avian influenza H5N1 in England, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), with new cases being confirmed on a daily basis.

Earlier this month, a man from Devon was confirmed as the first person in the UK to catch the strain of bird flu.

The risk to the wider public continues to be very low, the UKHSA said, but urged people not to touch sick or dead birds.

In a statement, the health protection body said: “Bird to human transmission of avian flu is very rare and has only occurred a small number of times in the UK previously.

“The person acquired the infection from very close, regular contact with a large number of infected birds, which they kept in and around their home over a prolonged period of time.

“All contacts of the individual, including those who visited the premises, have been traced and there is no evidence of onward spread of the infection to anyone else. The individual is currently well and self-isolating.”

A spokesperson for Lancashire County Council said: "We are working with partners in response to a confirmed case of avian influenza at a non-commercial premises near Upholland, West Lancashire.

"A 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone has been put in place around the premises.

"Road signs at both locations will make people aware as they arrive and leave the zones.

"If you do find any dead swans, geese, ducks or any other dead wild birds while out and about, please report them to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77.

"Do not touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds that you find as this can spread the virus.

"While the risk to the general public’s health is very low, anyone who is concerned should call NHS 111 or speak to their GP."

Find out more about Avian Flu at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu .