Six new cases of avian influenza have been confirmed in England in the past few days in a fresh blow to the poultry industry. The total number of cases this season now stands at 55, 49 in England, two in Scotland and four in Northern Ireland.
The new cases are all in England, but are scattered across the country.
The recent cases are: HPAI H5N1 has been confirmed in a small mixed flock of chickens, ducks, geese, guineafowl, at a premises near Lazonby, Westmorland and Furness, Cumbria.
HPAI H5N1 has been confirmed in mixed avian species, which include poultry, ornamental and rare birds, at a premises near Romsey, Test Valley, Hampshire.
HPAI H5N1 has been confirmed in captive breeding pheasants at a premises near Wymondham, Diss, Norfolk.
Following slaughter on suspicion, HPAI H5N1 has been confirmed in a flock of chickens, geese and ducks, at a second allotment near Blaydon, Durham. This follows a case a few days earlier of H5N1 confirmed in poultry at a premises near Blaydon, Durham.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 has also been confirmed in commercial poultry at a fourth premises new Thirsk, North Yorkshire.