THE Government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has confirmed a case of avian influenza in poultry at a premises in Udimore, Rye.

All poultry on the premises will be humanely culled, and Defra has set up a 3-kilometre Protection Zone around the premises and a 10km surveillance zone.

Map of 3km zones and 10km zones in the UK: APHA Interactive Avian Influenza Disease Map (arcgis.com)

Birds within the 3km zone should be kept housed, not outdoors. No movement of birds or eggs should take place within, or out of, the 3km zone except under license, (See: Bird flu (avian influenza) movement licences – GOV.UK. Quoting Case number: AIV 2025/03).

Bird keepers can see what the various conditions imposed within each zone are by reading the official Declaration for these protection zones for this particular incident: AI – Protection Zone and Surveillance Zone – declaration.

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.

All keepers of birds are now required to register their premises, excluding keepers of birds such as budgies, parrots, cockatiels and finches where birds are fully housed with no access to open air. Keepers can register online or email customer.registration@apha.gov.uk or call 03000 200 301 if more support is required.

If you find small numbers of dead wild birds you can dispose of them in household or municipal bins, following the government’s safety advice.

There is no need to report dead birds unless you find a large number of them in one place.

Removing and disposing of dead wild birds – GOV.UK or by calling 03459 33 55 77.

East Sussex County Council and other local partners are working with Defra to contain further spread.

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