Minister confirms UK has been hit by record bird flu outbreak

The UK has been hit by a record outbreak of avian flu that has forced 500,000 captive birds to be culled so far this autumn.

George Eustice confirmed that an avian influenza prevention zone had been declared across the UK at the start of November, requiring strict biosecurity measures and all birds to be kept indoors.

The disease is spread by migratory wild birds from Europe, where high infections levels are also being recorded.

It is thought to be the first detected avian flu case involving an eagle in Scotland. The adult eagle, from a well-established territory on Trotternish, was found dead on 14 November. Ornithologists believe it may have fed on infected greylag geese.