Avian influenza cases mount up in England

Further cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been confirmed in England over the festive period, with 15 cases of the H5N1 strain confirmed since the start of the bird flu “season”, and one case of the H5N5 strain.

Regional restriction zones were put into place on 23 December across East Riding of Yorkshire, Kingston upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.

On 24 December, H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry at a third premises near Attleborough, Breckland, Norfolk.

See also: Avian influenza outbreak prompts prevention zone

A further premises near Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire, was then confirmed with the disease on 28 December.

On 31 December, a confirmed case was found in commercial poultry at a premises housing 32,000 broiler breeders near Nafferton, East Riding of Yorkshire.

Under current rulings, all poultry on premises with confirmed cases are humanely culled and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are put into place.

Risk levels

The risk of avian influenza in wild birds in Great Britain is currently classed as “very high”.

There have been 59 confirmed findings of avian influenza in wild birds as part of the current outbreak, up to 30 December 2024.

The risk to poultry where there is poor biosecurity is “high”, while the risk of exposure where there is good biosecurity is classed as “medium”.

Meanwhile, the overall risk level In Northern Ireland is assessed as “moderate”.

Europe

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control found that 341 cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza were reported in domestic birds and 316 cases in wild birds across 27 countries in Europe between 21 September and 6 December 2024.