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Bird flu outbreak on Yorkshire duck farm
ducks
Investigations are underway to see if the outbreak is linked with recent cases in Germany and the Netherlands.

First UK case of the H5 strain confirmed since 2008

Defra has confirmed a bird flu outbreak on a duck breeding farm in Yorkshire. Initial testing has confirmed the H5 strain of bird flu which has not been reported in the UK since 2008.

Health officials have ruled out the possibility of the H5N1 strain that is infectious for humans. The outbreak was confirmed on Sunday afternoon and is said to present a very low risk to human health.

All 6,000 birds on the farm are being culled and a 10km restriction zone has been imposed to prevent further spread of the infection.

Restriction zones ban the movement of poultry, products and waste from the affected area. Poultry must be isolated within the zone, fairs, shows and exhibitions are prohibited and game birds must not be released.

Investigations are underway to see if the outbreak is linked with recent cases in Germany and the Netherlands. Further test results are expected this week.

Certain strains of bird flu can pass to humans, though cases are rare and infection usually requires close contact with infected birds.

As new strains of the avian influenza virus emerge frequently, there is a risk one of these strains may be able to spread from human to human. However, there is currently no evidence to suggest a recent strain of bird flu can transmit between people.

According to advice from the Food Standards Agency, it is safe to eat poultry and poultry products such as eggs, assuming they are properly cooked.

Image ©Katie Chodil/Wikipedia CC-BY-2.0

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.