Bird Flu (Avian Influenza): Latest Situation in England
20th January 2025
Summary
The UK government has confirmed an outbreak of bird flu in England. The affected area is in Suffolk, and the strain of the virus is H5N1, which is highly pathogenic to birds.
Latest update
As of 19th January 2025, there have been 15 confirmed cases of bird flu in England. All of the cases have been in poultry flocks, and there have been no human cases reported.
The government has implemented a number of measures to control the outbreak, including:
- Establishing a 3-kilometer protection zone around each infected premises
- Restricting the movement of poultry and poultry products in and out of the protection zones
- Implementing enhanced biosecurity measures on all poultry farms in the UK
Advice for poultry keepers
Poultry keepers are advised to:
- Keep their birds indoors if possible
- Implement strict biosecurity measures, such as disinfecting equipment and clothing
- Report any suspicious symptoms to their vet immediately
Advice for the public
The public is advised to:
- Avoid contact with sick or dead birds
- Do not touch or pick up any dead birds
- Report any sightings of dead birds to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
- Cook poultry thoroughly before eating it
Further information
For more information on bird flu, please visit the Defra website: www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu
Additional information
- Bird flu is a viral disease that can affect both domestic and wild birds.
- The H5N1 strain of bird flu is highly pathogenic, which means that it can cause severe disease and death in birds.
- Bird flu can be spread through contact with infected birds or their droppings.
- Humans can become infected with bird flu through contact with infected birds or their droppings, but this is rare.
- Symptoms of bird flu in humans can include fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches.
- There is no specific treatment for bird flu, but supportive care can help to relieve symptoms.
Bird flu (avian influenza): latest situation in England
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