Avian influenza detected in poultryworker in England

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed a case of avian influenza in a poultryworker in the West Midlands region, following “close and prolonged contact with a large number of infected birds”.

The agency is adamant that such bird-to-human transmission is rare and the risk to the wider public continues to be “very low”.

See also: Bird flu prevention zone imposed in England and Scotland

While such transmission has occurred on a small number of occasions in the past, UK chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss said the latest incident was “very specific to the circumstances on this premises”.

She added that, while the birds were infected with one of the viruses known to be circulating in birds in the UK this season (H5N1), it was different to the strains that have been circulating among mammals and birds in the US – where human infection has also occurred.

UKHSA also ruled out any human-to-human transmission, following extensive recent surveillance.

“UKHSA has been tracing all individuals who have been in contact with the confirmed case of avian influenza and those at highest risk of exposure have been offered antiviral treatment,” it said in a statement.

“This is done to reduce the chance that any virus they have been exposed to will be able to cause infection.”

The individual who picked up the disease in the West Midlands is said to be well, having been admitted to a high consequence infectious disease unit. 

Robust systems

Prof Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser at UKHSA, said: “We have robust systems in place to detect cases early and take necessary action, as we know that spillover infections from birds to humans may occur. 

“Currently there is no evidence of onwards transmission from this case.

“People are reminded not to touch sick or dead birds, and it’s important they follow Defra advice about reporting any suspected avian influenza cases.”

Last week, Defra declared an avian influenza prevention zone across the whole of England and Scotland in response to escalating cases of bird flu, making enhanced biosecurity mandatory.

It also extended regional housing measures to include York, North Yorkshire, and Shropshire, having previously ordered all poultry in Lincolnshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk to be kept indoors.

On Monday (27 January), the Animal and Plant Health Agency confirmed another outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza in a commercial turkey layer breeder unit near East Lindsay, Lincolnshire, and in a commercial turkey fattening unit near Pocklington, East Riding of Yorkshire.