There is a “constant risk” that bird flu may arrive in the UK from continental Europe, although it currently remains free of the disease, experts have warned.

All poultry keepers are being urged to review their biosecurity, sign up for disease alerts and register their birds with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), as well as reporting any unexplained deaths or sickness to their vet.

The H5N8 strain of bird flu, which poses no food safety risk to consumers, is currently circulating in Europe, with recent cases in poultry and wild birds in Italy, wild birds in Germany and poultry in Bulgaria. With the wild bird migration season well under way bringing birds from areas where bird flu is present, the current risk to the UK is classed as “medium” for wild birds and “low” for poultry. If you suspect the disease in wild birds or your own flock, call the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77.