Three birds have died from bird flu on the Isle of Man.

The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) confirmed today that a H5N1 strain of avian influenza has claimed the lives of two geese and a chicken from a backyard flock in the Braddan area.

The H5N1 strain can cause severe illness in birds, may spread rapidly through poultry flocks and result in high death rates.

It is the island's first confirmed outbreak in kept birds since December 2022.

An island-wide prevention zone has been introduced as a result of the deaths.

Restrictions have also been imposed around the affected property.

The Isle of Man has now been classified as an infected area, with all bird keepers required to introduce additional biosecurity measures.

DEFA has also established a 1km control zone around the affected flock.

Birds within the zone must be housed or kept separate from wild birds and cannot be moved without a licence from a veterinary inspector while restrictions remain in place.

All remaining poultry at the affected property will be humanely culled, the Isle of Man Government said.

Chief veterinary officer Dr Amy Beckett said: ‘We appreciate this will be upsetting for the owner of the birds, and our team is supporting them through the necessary measures.

‘We're strongly advising everyone who keeps birds to house them where possible and practise good biosecurity. The risk to human health remains low. Well-cooked eggs and poultry are still safe to eat.’

The outbreak follows the introduction of avian influenza prevention zones in England and Scotland on November 11, with mandatory housing measures introduced in England on November 13.

Members of the public are being urged not to touch sick or dead birds.

Anyone with concerns can contact DEFA's animal health team on 01624 685844 or email [email protected].