The UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has actually verified that extremely pathogenic bird influenza (bird influenza) HPAI H5N1 has actually been determined in captive birds in West Sussex.

DEFRA has actually said that all impacted birds on the facilities, near Angmering, Arun, West Sussex, will be humanely chosen.

A 3km captive bird tracking managed zone is now in force.

According to DEFRA there have 187 verified cases of extremely pathogenic bird influenza considering that October 1, 2022.

This consists of:

  • 156 cases in England
  • 22 cases in Scotland
  • 8 cases in Wales
  • 1 case in Northern Ireland

Last month the extremely pathogenic bird influenza was identifed in business poultry in facilities near Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire. and a 2nd facility near Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire.

Highly pathogenic bird influenza was likewise verified by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland in black headed gulls in 4 areas in June in Belfast Harbour, Comber, Coalisland and Magherafelt.

DAERA veterinarians have actually upgraded the continuous Veterinary Risk Assessment (VRA). 

“There is now an increasing likelihood of incursion into kept flocks, albeit with a high level of uncertainity, in consideration of the relatively limited number of reports,” DAERA cautioned.

The department had actually formerly lifted the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) in Northern Ireland on June, 2.

Bird influenza

However DAERA has actually cautioned that  bird influenza is “a constant and dynamic threat” and has actually prompted all bird and poultry keepers to step up biosecurity steps and stay watchful versus the latest hazard.

In a different advancement the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has actually detailed in its latest infectious illness hazards report that the chief veterinary officer of Poland has actually revealed that an overall of 16 samples from domestic cats from various cities in Poland have actually checked positive for A H5N1 influenza infection.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has actually released a declaration requiring more examinations, and said that neither direct exposure to ill wild birds nor feline-to-feline transmission are prospective paths of transmission.