GOV UK,Bird flu (avian influenza): latest situation in England

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Bird Flu (Avian Influenza): Latest Situation in England

Published 26 January 2025 at 12:14

Overview

The UK is currently experiencing an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in poultry and captive birds. The outbreak began in October 2022 and has since spread to over 200 premises across the UK.

In England, there have been 125 confirmed cases of HPAI H5N1 in poultry and captive birds. The affected premises are located in a wide range of areas, including Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Kent, and Devon.

Control Measures

The government has implemented a number of control measures to try to contain the outbreak, including:

  • Declaring an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone across the whole of England
  • Requiring all poultry and captive birds to be kept indoors
  • Banning the movement of poultry and captive birds
  • Establishing a number of surveillance zones around confirmed cases

Public Health Risk

The risk to public health from HPAI H5N1 is very low. The virus does not normally infect humans, and there have been no confirmed cases of human infection in the UK.

However, as a precaution, people are advised to:

  • Avoid contact with sick or dead birds
  • Wash their hands thoroughly after handling poultry or captive birds
  • Cook poultry and eggs thoroughly

Economic Impact

The outbreak of HPAI H5N1 is having a significant impact on the poultry industry. A number of farms have been affected, and millions of birds have been culled.

The government is providing financial support to farmers who have been affected by the outbreak.

What to Do If You Suspect Avian Influenza

If you suspect that you have found a dead or sick bird that may be infected with HPAI H5N1, you should report it to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) immediately.

You can report a dead or sick bird by:

Further Information

For more information on bird flu (avian influenza), please visit the GOV.UK website at www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu

Bird flu (avian influenza): latest situation in England

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