Measures put in place to stop the spread of bird flu after an outbreak in Kent have been lifted.

Last month, a flock of birds had to be culled at a commercial premises in Elham, near Folkestone, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) found the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain.

A 10km surveillance zone was mapped out after the disease was confirmed along with a 3km protection zone.

But now, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) says this has been lifted ending restrictions on the movement of birds and bird products without special permission.

Keepers are also no longer required to keep birds indoors after the 3km protection zone was lifted on August 18.

As the national risk of bird flu remains high, all bird keepers in the county are urged to continue following Defra guidance.

As well as supporting Defra, Kent County Council (KCC) worked with the Animal and Plant Agency (APHA) and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to manage the local response in Elham.

This included Kent Trading Standards officers carrying out foot patrols to raise awareness of the need for local bird keepers to maintain strict biosecurity and report any suspected cases.

Temporary road signs marking the zone boundaries in the Elham area are now being removed by KCC Highways.

Kent Trading Standards operations manager Sam Padfield said: “Good housekeeping is an essential defence against bird flu and key to limiting infection.

“All Kent bird keepers should continue following Defra rules and immediately report any signs of the disease in their birds to the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301.

“People who have over 50 birds are legally required to register but anyone who keeps poultry, even as pets, should sign up here – if they haven’t already – so they be contacted.”

Residents are also urged to carry on helping to reduce the spread of bird flu.

Kent County Council’s deputy director of public health, Dr Ellen Schwartz, said: "Avian influenza is primarily a disease of birds and I want to reassure Kent residents that the risk to public health is low.

“However, it is important we all play our part in helping to reduce its spread so please don’t pick up dead or sick birds with your bare hands.

“If you find one or more dead birds of prey, swans, geese or ducks, or five or more dead gulls or wild birds of any other species, in the same place please report it to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77 or use the reporting form on gov.uk.

“If you’re out and about in the countryside or on the coast, stick to footpaths and keep dogs on leads to limit contact with wild birds; and if you feed birds in your garden, keep feeders clean and always wash your hands after handling them.”