Avian influenza (bird flu) cases in Bexhill and Guestling Green
The Government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has confirmed a case of avian influenza (bird flu) in poultry at a premises in north Bexhill, and also now a new case at Guestling Green.
See guidance on Avian influenza (bird flu) - GOV.UK
Bexhill Case
All poultry on the premises have been humanely culled, and Defra has set up a 3km Protection Zone and a 10km Surveillance Zone around the premises:
All premises within the Protection Zone will receive the following letter:
- Protection Zone Letter [340.8 KB] [pdf]
Guestling Green Case
Defra has set up a 3km Captive Bird (Monitoring) Controlled Zone around the premises:
If you have any further questions, please see the document below:
- Avian Influenza FAQ's [633.0 KB] [pdf]
All Cases
Poultry survey
Anyone who lives within either the 3km Protection Zone (Bexhill) or 3km Controlled Zone (Guestling Green) and keeps poultry needs to complete the following survey which will help scientists assess the risk of spread among birds.
Birds within the 3km zones should be kept housed, not outdoors.
Risk to the public
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said that bird flu is primarily a disease of birds and the risk to the general public’s health is very low.
However, if you find any dead wild birds in any location, including swans, ducks, geese, gulls, or birds of prey, please report to the DEFRA helpline:
Telephone: 03459 33 55 77
Do not touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds that you find. Keep dogs on a lead.
Rother District Council, Hastings Borough Council, East Sussex County Council and other local partners are working with Defra to contain further spread.