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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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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.