Bird flu has been detected in a sheep in England for the first time, the Government has announced today.
The case was identified during routine surveillance of farmed livestock on a premises in Yorkshire.
The farm had already confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) in other captive birds.
While this marks the first detection of H5N1 in a sheep in England, the Government noted it has previously been found in livestock in other countries.
Bird flu has been detected in a sheep in England for the first time, the Government has announced today
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Officials have stated there is no evidence suggesting an increased risk to the UK's livestock population.
The infected sheep has been culled and sent for extensive testing. Further testing was conducted on the remaining flock of sheep.
No other infections with avian influenza virus were detected among the remaining animals.
The Government has implemented strict biosecurity measures to prevent any further spread of the disease.
This precautionary approach follows established protocols for managing potential outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza.
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Officials continue to monitor the situation closely in collaboration with various health and agricultural agencies.
Following the infection, the UK chief veterinary officer, Christine Middlemiss, urged all livestock keepers to remain vigilant.
She said: "Strict biosecurity measures have been implemented to prevent the further spread of disease."
"While the risk to livestock remains low, I urge all animal owners to ensure scrupulous cleanliness is in place and to report any signs of infection to the Animal Plant Health Agency immediately."
The warning comes as officials continue to monitor for any signs of the virus spreading beyond the affected farm.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has emphasised that the risk to the general public's health remains very low.
Dr Meera Chand, Emerging Infection Lead at UKHSA, said: "Globally, we continue to see that mammals can be infected with avian influenza A(H5N1).
"However, current evidence suggests that the avian influenza viruses we're seeing circulating around the world do not spread easily to people - and the risk of avian flu to the general public remains very low."
The public is advised not to touch any dead or sick wild birds they find.
Officials continue to monitor the situation closely in collaboration with various health and agricultural agencies
GettyUKHSA has preparations in place should any human cases be detected.
Food safety experts have confirmed that properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, remain safe to eat.
The Food Standards Agency advises that avian influenza poses a very low food safety risk as the virus is not normally transmitted through food.
