Christine Middlemiss

The Government has imposed livestock bans on Germany, Hungary, Slovakia and now Austria

Dr Meera Chand, emerging infection lead at the UK Health Security Agency, said: "Globally, we continue to see that mammals can be infected with avian influenza A (H5N1)"

Slovakia has joined Germany and Hungary in losing its foot-and-mouth free status

Defra has placed a ban on cattle, pigs, sheep and deer from entering the UK from Hungary and Slovakia following a confirmed case of the disease last week

The UK Health and Security Agency said the individual had close and prolonged contact with a large number of infected birds

The Restricted Zone currently in place across affected regions along the east and south coast of England will remain as a precautionary measure

As the first case has been confirmed in Germany, Defra has issued guidance for livestock farmers

It is now a legal requirement for all birdkeepers within the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) to follow ‘strict biosecurity measures' to help protect their flocks, of whatever type or size

"The control zone is there through no fault of any member within that control zone"

Government says stringent measures are needed to help prevent another AI outbreak