AS cases of avian flu have been found at a third Scottish site amid the “largest-ever outbreak in the UK” exclusion zones have been put in place.
The Scottish Government said that the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 was confirmed at a premises near Annan in Dumfries and Galloway on December 9.
A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone (SZ) have been declared around the premises, which means movement restrictions within these zones – on things such as poultry, carcasses, eggs, used poultry litter and manure – to prevent any further spread of disease.
It comes after avian flu was confirmed at premises near Gretna in Dumfries and Galloway on December 3 and at a premises near Arbroath, Angus, on November 4.
Public health advice is that the risk to human health from the virus is very low.
Bird keepers have been told to report any suspicion of disease in Scotland to their local Field Services Office.
You can see the areas affected by exclusion zones on the interactive map below and see a full list of the exclusion zones across the UK with more details at this link.
READ MORE: UK facing 'largest-ever outbreak' of bird flu, environmental chiefs warn
Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “We know that avian influenza is here in Scotland. In order to try to keep their birds safe and stop the spread of the disease, producers and bird keepers are reminded to comply with the order to house birds, which came in to effect on November 29, or to ensure their birds are kept separate from wild birds.
“It’s important that the public remain vigilant and report any findings of dead wild birds to Defra’s national telephone helpline. Do not touch or pick up any dead or sick birds that you find.”
Additionally, there are areas deemed at "higher risk" of avian influenza across Scotland that do not currently have exclusion zones.
The largest area of this type stretches from Edinburgh down much of the east coast and, in the other direction, across to Falkirk, then Stirling and much of the rural areas of central Scotland.
The higher risk areas are those highlighted while the circles indicate control zones
Also, on the west coast, there are areas at higher risk going from Ardrossan up to Helensburgh and across to Renfrew.
Areas around Aberdeen and Inverness are also affected along with part of the Orkney mainland.
These affected areas can be seen in more detail through the interactive map from the Animal & Plant Health Agency.
How did bird flu get here and what are the risks?
UK Environment Secretary George Eustice has said that every year the UK faces a seasonal risk in incursion of avian influenza associated with migratory wild birds.
However, he said that this year the country is now seeing the “largest-ever outbreak in the UK of avian influenza”.
Around 40 cases have been identified around the UK.
The risk to human health from the virus is very low and food standards bodies advise that avian influenzas pose a very low food safety risk for UK consumers, Defra said.
People are advised not to touch or pick up any dead or sick birds that they find and instead report them to the relevant helpline.
Defra [Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs] said there is no impact on the consumption of properly cooked poultry products including eggs.
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