With the UK facing its largest ever outbreak of bird flu, the Welsh Government has set up an Emergency Coordination Centre for Wales (ECCW).

Avian influenza was first confirmed in Great Britain October 26. On November 3, Wales' Rural Affairs minister Lesley Griffiths announced an all-Wales Avian Influenza Prevention Zone.

This made it a legal requirement for all bird keepers to follow strict biosecurity measures to help protect their birds.

On November 29, this declaration was extended and it became mandatory for all keepers to house their birds or otherwise keep them separate from wild birds.

These measures have been coordinated with Defra and the devolved governments and apply across Great Britain.

Ms Griffiths said: "As of December 8, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 has been confirmed in poultry or other captive birds at 36 premises in GB, with over 276 findings in wild birds in 80 separate locations.

"This is now the largest ever UK outbreak of AI, and there is no immediate sign of the situation improving."

To date, the Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales has confirmed three separate cases of avian influenza in domestic poultry across Wales. These are:

• Near Chirk, Wrexham, on November 1

• Near Gaerwen, Isle of Anglesey, on November 25

• Near Crickhowell, Powys, on December 3

An interactive map of the current situation can be found here:

Since introducing the Prevention Zone and mandatory housing, the outbreaks have continued to occur across Great Britain in kept (domestic) birds and the virus continues to be found in some wild birds submitted for disease surveillance .

"This is to be expected, in light of the risk level and in that keepers are being more vigilant and alert for signs of disease," added the minister.

"However, as we continue to monitor these increased findings, I am reviewing our emergency disease arrangements to ensure we are delivering an effective and efficient response.

"I am grateful to industry and the veterinary profession for their continued efforts in meeting our requirements, as we all have a responsibility in addressing this disease threat.

"Whilst I continue to ask keepers across Wales to take all steps possible to prevent the spread of disease, I have reviewed our ability to respond within government against competing pressures, and I have decided to stand up a “lite” format Emergency Coordination Centre for Wales (ECCW).

"Responding to disease requires a co-ordinated effort between ourselves in Government combined with operational partners, industry and stakeholders. These three domestic cases in Wales have been dealt with immediately and effectively, with regulated disease control measures being implemented to good effect.

"However, these steps have required great resource and have significant implications for us all. As we do not know how long AI will continue to be at its current risk level, we need to ensure we can sustain the response we have delivered to date.

"The ECCW "lite” will ensure my officials can continue to provide a coordinated and effective response to the disease threat throughout this outbreak. It will allow them the ability to better manage and prioritise resources, share responsibilities and communicate with all concerned.

"As we are all aware, disease situations develop and change frequently and having the ECCW “lite” established will allow us to ensure we can react to the changing circumstances promptly and continue to provide an appropriate and proportionate disease response.

"The Welsh Government is doing all it can to respond to this situation."