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Avian influenza detected in Alaska
White and red chickens
The USDA has advised all farmers and companies involved in poultry production to review their protocols for cleaning and security.

H5N2 found in US for the first time in 14 months

A devastating strain of avian influenza has been found in Alaska, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed. The news has prompted poultry farmers to review their protocols.

On Friday, the USDA announced that it had detected the H5N2 strain of the disease in a wild duck as part of surveillance testing.  According to news agency Reuters, the strain has not been seen in any poultry or wild birds in the USA since June 2015.

In light of the discovery, the USDA has advised all farmers and companies involved in poultry production to review their protocols for cleaning and security to ensure the health of their birds.

While birds can transmit the virus to poultry through their feathers or faeces, the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers the risk of infection to the general public to be low.

In 2015, the US Department of Agriculture confirmed the presence of avian influenza in wild birds in Whatcom County, Washington.

Reuters say the outbreak cost poultry exporters millions of dollars in lost business as trading partners limited deals from states and countries with infected flocks.

The outbreak also led to the death of about 50 million US chickens and turkeys and sent egg prices to record highs. 

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.