An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) has been declared across the whole of England, following a number of cases of bird flu including the outbreak that has now killed 10 swans and cygnets in Dawlish.

Five cygnets, their mother and four other swans have now died.

The father of the cygnets has tested positive for avian flu and is currently in isolation at the waterfowl compound, but is respondingwell to treatment.

Dawlish Town Council, which posted the update, said there are a number of options for replenishing the stocks of waterfowl, but nothing would be done until they could be sure the risk of infection was minimal.

The Dawlish swans had tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8. Wild geese near Stroud in Gloucestershire tested positive for the same strain.

A wild goose near Weymouth in Dorset tested positive for H5N8, pathogenicity yet to be determined.

The H5N8 strain has also been found at a site in Cheshire, and among captive birds at a farm near Leominster in Herefordshire.

The H5N2 strain had been found earlier at a small commercial poultry premises in Kent.

What do the new restrictions mean for bird keepers?

The AIPZ means it is a legal requirement for all bird keepers to follow strict biosecurity measures.

Keepers with more than 500 birds will need to restrict access for non-essential people on their sites, workers will need to change clothing and footwear before entering bird enclosures, and site vehicles will need to be cleaned and disinfected regularly.

Backyard owners with smaller numbers of poultry including chickens, ducks and geese are also urged to strengthen their biosecurity measures in order to prevent further outbreaks of avian influenza in the UK.

Is there a risk to public health?

Public Health England (PHE) said the risk to public health from the virus is very low and the Food Standards Agency advises that avian influenzas pose a very low food safety risk for UK consumers.

Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.

Information for poultry keepers on how to spot bird flu, what to do if you suspect it, and how to prevent it can be found on Defra's website avian flu advice

Deaths among wild birds should be reported to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77.