Bird flu has been confirmed at a site near Lowestoft as a worsening disease outbreak continues to pile pressure on East Anglia's poultry industry.

Government vets identified a highly-pathogenic strain of avian influenza at a premises in Mutford on September 29.

Defra says all poultry on the infected premises will be humanely culled, and has enforced a 3km 'protection zone' and 10km 'surveillance zone' around the site.

Lowestoft Journal: Defra confirmed a highly-pathogenic strain of bird flu at poultry farm near Lowestoft on September 29Defra confirmed a highly-pathogenic strain of bird flu at poultry farm near Lowestoft on September 29 (Image: Defra)

It is the ninth case confirmed in Norfolk and Suffolk since the start of September - an outbreak which has forced the cull of thousands of commercial chickens, geese and turkeys, as well as hitting wild bird colonies.

A Suffolk Trading Standards spokesman said: "Our officers will be making contact with properties in the 3km Protection Zone to help us and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) establish where any poultry are, and advise keepers.

"All bird keepers (whether you have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock) must keep a close watch on them for signs of disease and maintain strict biosecurity at all times."

Earlier this week, the growing regional outbreak sparked a raft of new restrictions for all poultry keepers - from commercial farms to backyard hobbyists - in a bid to halt the spread of the disease.

The regional Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) makes it a legal requirement for all bird keepers across Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of Essex to follow heightened biosecurity rules to protect their flocks.

Deputy chief veterinary officer Richard Irvine said: "All bird keepers in the region must urgently take action now to both prevent disease getting in to flocks and it spreading any further."

Although avian influenza can be devastating for wild birds and poultry flocks, the UK Health Security Agency advise that the risk to public health is very low and the Food Standards Agency says avian influenzas pose a very low food safety risk.

Poultry keepers and members of the public should report dead wild birds to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77 and keepers should report suspicion of disease to APHA on 03000 200 301.

For full details on the requirements and boundaries of the AIPZ, see www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu