Bird flu has been confirmed at a third farm near Newark in a fortnight as an outbreak of the deadly disease spreads. The strain of avian influenza was detected at a commercial poultry premises near Newark-on-Trent today, triggering an immediate mass cull of all birds on site.
Officials have rushed to declare a 3km (1.8 miles) protection zone and 10km (6.2 miles) surveillance zone around the infected farm to prevent the disease spreading further. The update from the Government read: “Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry at a third premises near Newark-on-Trent, Newark and Sherwood, Nottinghamshire (AIV 2026/02) on 8 January 2026. A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone has been declared around the premises. All poultry on the premises will be humanely culled.”
Earlier today, Barnsley Council confirmed that DEFRA had found two dead wild birds in a reservoir and a nearby country park, confirmed to be infected with the deadly flu.
They warned, in a post on social media, that the public should not touch a dead bird if they discovered one.
Whilst the danger to the public is very low, officials caution people not to move or touch a dead or sick wild bird. Anyone who touches wild bird droppings, or feathers, should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately.
The latest case comes after another premises in Newark was laid low with the Flu on New Years Eve, after another farm nearby was afflicted the day before. The string of cases in the area have led to the mass-culling of birds at some of the affected farms.
A slew of other cases have been detected on January 6 in Scotland, December 30 in Nottinghamshire and December 29 in Somerset.
Suspected cases in captive birds should be reported to DEFRA’s Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301, while dead wild birds should be reported on 03459 33 55 77.