A flock of birds at a commercial premises in Kent will be culled after a confirmed outbreak of bird flu.

The animals at the facility in Elham near Folkestone were tested by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) which found the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain yesterday.

Kent County Council (KCC) is now working with APHA and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to manage the response locally.

It means all the birds at the site will have to be humanely culled to help limit the spread of infection.

Animal Health officials have also visited the site to carry out further testing and deep cleaning.

The UK Health Security Agency says the risk to human health is still very low and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has reassured that eggs, thoroughly cooked poultry meat, and poultry products are safe to eat.

A 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone has been put around the premises to further reduce the risk of the disease spreading.

All bird keepers in the disease control zone are being urged to follow rigorous biosecurity standards and not move birds, eggs or meat off their premises without special permission from the APHA.

All poultry and captive birds in the 3km protection zone must also be kept indoors.

Keepers can check if they are in the protection or surveillance zone, which will remain in place until lifted by Defra, on the APHA interactive map,

Temporary road signs along the zone boundaries will be installed for awareness and people working directly with the flock at the premises are being offered routine preventative treatment.

Head of Kent Trading Standards Steve Rock said: “Good housekeeping is an essential defence against bird flu and key to limiting its spread.

“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.”

KCC director for public health, Dr Anjan Ghosh, 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 the spread of the disease 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.”