9th January 2017
By Anne North
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Bird flu appears to be continuing its advance on Cornwall following confirmation that nine swans have died of the disease in Dorset.

The Abbotsbury Swannery is currently closed to the public for winter. Experts say the risk to human health is very low.

The swannery was hit by a similar outbreak in 2008.

Defra is telling poultry keepers to keep their birds inside, and not allow contact with wild birds, until the end of February.

The government's chief veterinary officer declared the UK a Prevention Zone in December. Bird flu has since been confirmed in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Wales.

Public Health England (PHE) has said the threat to humans remains very low. The Food Standards Agency says bird flu does not pose a safety risk for UK consumers.

Defra's has also imposed a ban on poultry shows and markets. More than 80,000 birds were recently gassed because of the disease in France.