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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 18th November 2014
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Avian flu outbreak is highly contagious H5N8
duck farm
The outbreak may be linked to recent H5N8 cases in Germany and the Netherlands.

Cull underway at duck breeding farm in Yorkshire

Defra has confirmed an outbreak of avian flu at a Yorkshire duck breeding farm is the highly contagious H5N8 strain. It is the first case of the H5 strain in the UK since 2008.

Action is being taken to contain the outbreak and a cull of all 6,000 birds at the farm is now underway. A 10km restriction zone is also in operation, prohibiting movement of poultry, products and waste.

Investigations are ongoing to determine whether the outbreak is linked to recent cases in the Netherlands and Germany, which were also the H5N8 strain.

A spokesperson for Defra said: "As part of our robust action in response to the confirmed case of avian flu, the culling of 6,000 ducks on the affected farm in east Yorkshire is underway.

"The cull to prevent the spread of potential infection is being carried out in a safe and humane manner by fully trained Animal and Plant Health Agency (formerly AHVLA) staff.

"Our response to this outbreak follows tried and tested procedures for dealing with avian flu outbreaks and we expect the cull to be completed later today."

According to the Chief Medical Officer and Public Health England the risk to public health is "very low". The Food Standards Agency says poultry and poultry products (such as eggs) are safe to eat as long as they are cooked thoroughly.

Image ©MiNe/Wikimedia Commons CC-BY-2.0



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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise 100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.