Avian flu: bird flu outbreak at Northallerton turkey farm in Yorkshire will see 10,000 birds culled - is there a risk to the public?

Over 10,000 turkeys will be culled at a Yorkshire farm where cases of Avian Flu have been confirmed.

The birds will be humanely killed to stop continued spread of the virus - while a 3km protection radius has been put in place around the farm.

But what is the disease, could it spread to other farms, and how could it impact availability of turkey at Christmas?

What is Avian flu?

The term Avian (bird) and flu (influenza) relates to any Type 1 bird flu.

This virus infects wild birds and can be spread to domesticated poultry, such as what has happened in the case in Northallerton.

According to the Centre for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC), while the flu has little impact on wild birds, it can be deadly to domestic animals and is spread through their saliva and faeces.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) can have up to a 90% death rate in domestic poultry, targeting their organs and immune system - therefore birds with who are infected are culled - also known as ‘stamped out’.

Avian Flu rarely affects humans but some cases have been reported.

What happened at the Northallerton farm?

More than 10,000 turkeys are to be culled at turkey fattening premises in Northallerton, North Yorkshire.

The department for rural affairs (Defra) is still investigating the case of Avian flu and little information has been made public at this time.

However, Public Health England have said there is thought to be very low risk to public health from the outbreak.

The virus detected at the farm is H5N8, the World Health Organisation (WHO) have never known of any case of H5N8 in humans.

A 3km temporary protection zone has been enforced around the farm and a 10km surveillance radius extended around that.

Defra's chief veterinary officer, Christine Middlemiss, said: "We are urgently looking for any evidence of disease spread associated with this farm to control and eliminate it.

"Bird keepers should remain alert for any signs of disease, report suspected disease immediately and ensure they are maintaining good biosecurity on their premises."

Farmers should also be aware that there is the added possibility of spread to other European countries due to birds which could possibly be carrying the infection, migrating for winter.

Can I still eat Turkey for Christmas dinner?

The Food Standards Agency have confirmed that poultry and eggs which have been fully cooked should not pose a risk to humans.

The specific strain of Avian flu has never been detected in humans and the virus is difficult for the general public to be infected with.

Bird flu can only be caught when a bird transmits their faeces, saliva or nasal secretions onto a person and it enters their eyes, mouth or nose.

The more probable route of transmission would be a person touching a contaminated surface and then inhaling or touching their face with the virus particles.

At the moment, there appears to be no risk that you will need to break with tradition, you can still enjoy a Turkey dinner.