Avian flu outbreak surges past 50 case mark
© Tim Scrivener Numbers of avian flu cases across the UK have surged past 50 in the past week, according to government figures.
In England, nine poultry flocks succumbed to the highly pathogenic strain of the disease during the week to 15 December.
Most were across the Midlands, with cases emerging from Shropshire to Lincolnshire. Two cases were confirmed in the North, in East Yorkshire and County Durham, and a single outbreak was seen in Wiltshire.
See also: Avian flu: Latest Dec 2021 outbreaks and advice
Wales has seen one case during the past seven days at a farm in Powys, while Scotland recorded an outbreak on a unit in Annan, Dumfries-shire.
The surveillance zone around the Scottish case extends across the border drawing in flocks in northern England.
Likewise, poultry farms in Northern Ireland have been caught within a 3km protection and 10km surveillance zone around cases in Monaghan on the Republic side of the border.
Two further cases were identified in the province, in County Armagh and Tyrone.
Latest cases
- Market Bosworth, Hinckley and Bosworth, Leicestershire
- Wem, North Shropshire, Shropshire
- Alford, East Lindsey, Lincolnshire (fifth premises)
- Alford, East Lindsey, Lincolnshire (fourth premises)
- Pocklington, East Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire (second premises)
- Middleton-in-Teesdale, County Durham
- Markethill, County Armagh
- Coagh, County Tyrone
- Alford, East Lindsey, Lincolnshire (third premises)
- Alford, East Lindsey, Lincolnshire (second premises)
- Willington, South Derbyshire (second premises)
- Alford, East Lindsey, Lincolnshire
- Washington, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear
- Clifford, Hereford and South Herefordshire
- Highworth, Swindon, Wiltshire
- Annan, Dumfriesshire, Dumfries and Galloway
Avian flu webinars
To help combat the spread of the disease, experts from Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency will hold two webinars next week.
The “Stop the spread” webinars are on 20 December:
- 12pm-1pm
- 5pm-6pm
Registration is via the Defra website
The webinars will cover the latest national situation and essential biosecurity measures required, as well as the opportunity to ask questions.
‘Critical point’
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland farm minister Edwin Poots said the avian flu outbreak was now the worst the province had seen.
In a bid to limit the spread, he urged flock-keepers to step up biosecurity measures.
“We are at a critical point in the management of this outbreak. This strain of H5N1 spreads quickly and could wipe out an entire flock in a matter of days.
“I am urging all birdkeepers to proactively assess their current biosecurity measures and re-double efforts to keep this disease out.”
But Mr Poots has said his department would no longer collect wild birds found dead.
The call-up collection service had previously sent health officials to remove dead birds suspected with the disease.
However, the minister has said that his department’s primary function was to control avian flu in poultry flocks and not the disease in wild species.
Further details
- Read the Q&A on avian flu with the Defra chief vet.
- Visit the Defra website for guidance on avian flu.