Fresh outbreaks of Bird Flu have enveloped parts of Cambridgeshire, with new cases recorded in Fenland near March and on premises near Somersham.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) confirmed the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) at the locations on October 31.

Declaration Orders are in place, bringing in additional rules for those who keep birds within 3km of the infected site in March and within 10km of the infected site at Somersham.

Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC) will support DEFRA and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) as part of the national animal disease contingency plan.

CCC's Trading Standards team is responsible for identifying all captive birds within the Protection Zone.

Trading Standards Officers will call at homes within the March and Somersham disease control zones next week to ascertain if those households keep birds.

If they are, the information will be referred to APHA for veterinary assessment to determine if a health check on the birds is required.

Road signs will also be erected by CCC on the main entry points into the March and Somersham disease control zones on behalf of the APHA to make bird transporters aware they are entering an animal disease control zone.

Trading Standards is also responsible for enforcement of the rules within the Declaration Order.

The rules protect not only livelihoods and valuable commercial bird stocks, but also much-loved pets, and with such a virulent strain, it is vital that bird keepers adhere to them.

Anyone concerned about breaches should report the information to Cambridgeshire County Council’s customer services team on 0345 0455206.

There have been three confirmed cases in Cambridgeshire since October, with bird flu discovered in a flock of birds on premises near Soham on October 11.

The three Cambridgeshire cases are part of 80 confirmed cases across the UK since October, and mandatory housing measures for birds are set to be introduced to all areas of England next week.

Following a decision by the United Kingdom’s Chief Veterinary Officer, the housing measures for all poultry and captive birds start from 00:01 on Monday, November 7.

The housing measures legally require all bird keepers to keep their birds indoors and to follow stringent biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks from the disease, regardless of type or size.

Bird keepers with 50 or more birds must register with APHA.

APHA is actively encouraging all bird keepers to register, even if they have less than 50 birds, as it enables them to keep you up to date with Avian Influenza developments.

APHA is also encouraging all bird keepers to view their ‘Stop the Spread’ webinars on the government website and has made extensive advice and guidance available for bird keepers at www.gov.uk/bird-flu.

Peter Gell, assistant director of regulatory services, said: “I would encourage all poultry keepers to familiarise themselves with, and do their utmost to comply with, all restrictions now in place.

"We are a rural county, blessed with a wide range of commercial bird keepers. Their livelihoods and the health of their flocks depend on all bird keepers – large and small - doing their bit to prevent the further spread of this disease.

“Check your birds frequently for symptoms of Bird Flu – know the tell-tale signs and immediately report any ill health to your veterinarian. If you suspect bird flu you should contact the DEFRA rural services helpline on 03000 200 301.”

The United Kingdom’s chief veterinary officer, Christine Middlemiss, said: “We are now facing this year, the largest ever outbreak of bird flu and are seeing a rapid escalation in the number of cases on commercial farms and in backyard birds across England.

"The risk of kept birds being exposed to disease has reached a point where it is now necessary for all birds to be housed until further notice.

“Scrupulous biosecurity and separating flocks in all ways, from wild birds remain the best form of defence.

"Whether you keep just a few birds or thousands, from Monday, November 7 onwards, you must keep your indoors. This decision has not been taken lightly, but is the best way to protect your birds from this highly infectious disease.”

In terms of the risk to public health, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said that avian influenza is primarily a disease of birds and the risk to the general public’s health is very low.

Nevertheless, the public is being asked not to touch dead wild birds and report them to DEFRA by calling 03459 33 55 77.

Furthermore, the Food Standards Agency has said that based on the current scientific evidence, avian influenza poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers. Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.

For the latest information about Bird Flu, including symptoms, how to report sick birds, and the latest control measures, visit www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu.