Bird flu outbreak: First human case of avian influenza confirmed in England
Bird flu outbreak in Yorkshire
GB News
A human case of bird flu has been confirmed in England for this first time this season.
The UK Health Security Agency said a person in the West Midlands region caught bird flu on a farm where “they had close and prolonged contact with a large number of infected birds”.
This is the first human case since May 2023 when a poultry culler caught the illness from infected birds.
It comes as there has been a national outbreak among animals.
This comes as there has been a national outbreak among animals.
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The affected individual is now in isolation and contact tracing is underway.
Andrew Gwynne, Minister for Public Health and Prevention, said: “The safety of the public is paramount, and we are monitoring this situation closely.”
“The risk of wider or onward transmission is very low, however the UK remains prepared and ready to respond to any current and future health threats. We recently added the H5 vaccine, which protects against avian influenza, to our stockpile as part of our preparedness plans.”
There has currently been no proven human-to-human transmission despite extensive recent surveillance of the circulating strain A(H5N1).
Mandatory biosecurity measures came into force today across all of England and Scotland after an increased number of bird flu cases in birds.
The Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer from Scotland and the Chief Veterinary Officer from England have declared that a national Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) came into force from midday Saturday to decrease any risk of the disease spreading amongst poultry and other captive birds.
This means it is a legal requirement for all birdkeepers in England and Scotland to abide by strict biosecurity rules to stop any further spreading of the disease.
This comes as mandatory biosecurity measures have come into force across all of England and Scotland after an increased number of bird flu cases in birds
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From midnight on January 27, an AIPZ mandating enhanced biosecurity and housing for kept birds currently in force across East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston Upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk will be extended to also include Shropshire, York and North Yorkshire.
UK Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss said: “Given the continued increase in the number of bird flu cases across England, we are taking further action to try and prevent the further spread of disease.
“I urge bird keepers to check which requirements apply to them, to continue to exercise robust biosecurity measures, remain alert for any signs of disease and report suspected disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.”
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