A new outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 has been confirmed at premises near Thirsk, north Yorkshire, triggering a protective cordon adn mandatory housing measures for birds in the area.
Confirmed cases have also been identified in Easingwold and Bedale,adding to growing concerns about the spread of the virus. The outbreak comes as the UK government prepares to extend mandatory housing measures nationwide on Thursday, aiming to curb the escalating avian flu crisis. These measures require all bird keepers to keep their birds indoors, protecting them from contact with wild birds which are known carriers of the disease.
The virus spreads through contaminated feed and water, as well as birds’ droppings and saliva. Bird keepers are urged to check the interactive map provided by Defra to determine if their premises fall within a control zone and to understand the specific housing requirements.
Currently, the risk to human health is considered low, according to scientists.
“Given the continued increase in the number of avian influenza cases in kept birds and wild birds across England, we are now taking the challenging step to extend the housing measures to the whole of England,” said UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss. “We know from previous years that housing birds will bring the rates of infection down from the high we are currently experiencing.”
The mandatory housing measures, already in effect for parts of England including North Yorkshire, are designed to limit the spread of the disease during the winter months when migratory birds arrive from the continent, increasing the risk of infection.
