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Birds at all of these premises (around 28,600) have been culled. Protection, surveillance and restricted zones in the area have been extended.

(Updated 23 November.) Defra has announced that it is lifting the national ban on bird gatherings, shows and pigeon racing which has been in place since confirmation of avian influenza in Suffolk on 12 November. This decision is based on expert consideration of surveillance and tracing results.

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Food safety

The recent detection of a case of bird flu in Diss on the Suffolk/Norfolk border has no safety implications for the human food chain, the Food Standards Agency announced today.

Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat. The science shows that the virus isn't contracted by eating food – but by close contact with infected birds.

People should follow the Agency's normal food hygiene advice in relation to handling raw poultry meat in the kitchen. People should ensure that turkey meat is cooked to the point where the juices run clear and there are no red parts in the meat. The H5 virus is destroyed by cooking thoroughly

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Bird flu and human health

A severe form of avian influenza or bird flu – called H5N1 – has affected poultry flocks and other birds in several countries since 2003. As of 5 November 2007, 334 people have also caught the infection, as a result of close and direct contact with infected birds. Two hundred and five of these have subsequently died. There is no firm evidence that H5N1 has acquired the ability to pass easily from person to person. However, concerns remain that the virus might develop this ability, or that it might mix with human flu viruses to create a new virus.

• Department of Health information on bird flu Opens new window
• Bird flu (health and well-being section)