AVIAN INFLUENZA cases continue to pop up across northern Europe, both in wild birds and on commercial farms.

In the UK this week, Defra said a goose and buzzard near Ormskirk, Lancashire had tested positive for AI, as well as different species of geese and ducks near Boston, Lincs.

See also: Avian influenza: How to spot it and ways to prevent it

There have been three confirmed cases of AI on poultry farms in the UK to date, a smallholding in Kent, a broiler breeder farm in Cheshire and a broiler breeder farm in Hereford.

Belgium has recorded its first finding in wild birds on the coast of the country.

And in the Netherlands, a fourth case of AI was confirmed on a commercial poultry farm, this time housing 20,000 ducks in Terwolde, in the south-east. There are six poultry farms within 3km of the affected unit, according to the Dutch government.

Wild birds

There have now been more than 175 wild birds found with avian influenza in the country.

Denmark has also registered its first case in a commercial flock, with 25,000 birds set to be culled after authorities confirmed H5N8.

The country has also recorded several positive cases in wild birds.

Germany has confirmed its first case in a commercial poultry flock that – 3,000 laying hens in the eastern state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

It has also been detected in smaller backyard flocks, and there has been an unusually high number of wild birds found with avian influenza.