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Avian influenza (bird flu) cases in East Sussex


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 a captive bird case at Guestling Green.

Wild birds have also been found with avian influenza. The affected area is the whole of East Sussex.

See guidance on Avian influenza (bird flu) - GOV.UK

Captive birds

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 Bexhill Protection Zone will receive the following letter:

Guestling Green Case 

Defra has set up a 3km Captive Bird (Monitoring) Controlled Zone around the premises:

All premises within the Guestling Green Protection Zone will receive the following letter:

If you have any further questions, please see the document below:

All poultry keepers 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.

Rother District Council, Hastings Borough Council, East Sussex County Council and other local partners are working with Defra to contain further spread.

Public land

If you find a sick or dead bird on public land please do not touch it or pick it up - report it to your local district or borough council:

If you find three or more dead wild waterfowl (such as swans, geese or ducks), gulls or birds of prey, or five or more dead birds of any species you should also report them to the Government helpline: 

Telephone: 03459 33 55 77

Please always keep your dog on a lead and away from any dead or dying birds.

Private land

If you find a sick or dead bird on private land (including your own premises) please do not touch it and keep pets away. You should report it to the Government helpline who will provide advice on what to do.

Telephone: 03459 33 55 77