Defra - Avian Influenza Latest Situation
22 October 2024
Time for bird keepers to prepare: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) risk levels increased
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N5 has been detected in a number of wild birds in Great Britain this autumn, including the first reported HPAI-related wild bird mass mortality of the season. In addition to the first detection of HPAI H5N1 in a wild bird this season.
The risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5 in wild birds in Great Britain has increased from LOW (event is rare but does occur) to MEDIUM (event occurs regularly).
The risk of poultry exposure to HPAI H5 in Great Britain remains assessed as:
LOW (event is rare but does occur) (with high uncertainty) where there is suboptimal or poor biosecurity
VERY LOW (event is very rare but cannot be excluded) (with high uncertainty) where good biosecurity is consistently applied at all times
Whilst the UK does not currently have outbreaks of HPAI in poultry or other captive birds and the UK has World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) self-declared freedom from HPAI, keepers must remain vigilant and practice rigorous biosecurity to maintain this status and protect the health and welfare of their birds. Find advice on how to protect your birds in Defra’s biosecurity guidance.
All bird keepers must register their poultry and other captive birds (with the exception of certain psittacines and passerines), even if only kept as pets. Registered keepers will receive regular updates and guidance to help protect their birds from avian influenza. In addition, anyone can subscribe to APHA’s free animal disease alerts service for the latest information regardless of whether they keep birds.
Findings of HPAI in wild birds during recent years have been dominated by the H5N1 virus strain. The finding of HPAI H5N5 was likely this season and follows previous findings in Great Britain, and recent detections of both HPAI H5N5 and HPAI H5N1 in continental Europe.
Risk levels are regularly reviewed. It is too early to predict the outlook for future seasons and risk levels may increase further this winter, associated with the migratory pattern of waterfowl and environmental conditions becoming more favourable for virus survival.
Members of the public are encouraged to report findings of dead wild birds using the online reporting system or by calling the Defra helpline (03459 33 55 77).
By reporting dead wild birds, you are helping Defra and APHA understand:
the risk to different species groups of wild birds
the risk posed to poultry & other captive birds
the risk of overspill into wild mammals.
Reports are triaged and not all birds will be collected. Wild birds are susceptible to a range of diseases and injuries and most dead birds will not have been infected with avian influenza
Find out more information on how and why we monitor avian influenza virus infection in wild birds and wild mammals in Defra’s Avian influenza (bird flu): infection in wild birds and wild mammals - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) guidance.
Further information on HPAI findings in wild birds can be found through the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA)
report (updated weekly) on findings of HPAI in wild birds in Great Britain
interactive map of reported wild bird mortality and findings of avian influenza virus (bird flu) in wild birds and wild mammals
interactive data dashboard of findings of avian influenza virus in wild birds.
The finding of HPAI H5N5 follows previous findings in GB, and recent detections of both HPAI H5N5 and HPAI H5N1 in continental Europe. Risk levels are regularly reviewed and may increase further this winter,
Further information on the latest situation and guidance on avian influenza can be found at gov.uk/birdflu