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A “very rare” case of bird flu has been detected in a person living in southwest England, The Independent reports, citing the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

The person became infected after “very close, regular contact with a large number of infected birds, which they kept in and around their home over a prolonged period of time”, UKHSA said.

All of their contacts have been traced and there is no evidence that others have become infected. Officials said the individual was “currently well and self-isolating”, and the World Health Organisation has been notified.

Bird to human transmission of bird flu – also known as avian flu – is rare and has only occurred a small number of times in the UK, with the risk described as “low”. However the public is being urged not to touch sick or dead birds.

The infection was identified through what the UKHSA said was “routine monitoring”, which is conducted on anyone who has close contact with infected birds. The infected birds have all been culled.

Experts have so far been unable to confirm that the strain is H5N1; that which is currently circulating in birds in the UK.