World’s first case of bird flu in sheep found on Yorkshire farm

The world’s first case of fowl flu in sheep has been discovered within the UK, the nation’s chief veterinary officer has confirmed.

The precise location of the farm has not been revealed, however a authorities spokesperson stated the case was recognized on a web site in Yorkshire the place fowl flu had been confirmed in captive birds.

The spokesperson stated the one contaminated sheep had been “humanely culled” and no additional circumstances among the many flock had been discovered after “in depth testing”.

“There is no such thing as a proof to recommend an elevated danger to the nation’s livestock inhabitants,” they added.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK’s chief veterinary officer, stated “strict” measures had been put in place to forestall the additional unfold of the illness.

She added: “Whereas the danger to livestock stays low, I urge all animal homeowners to make sure scrupulous cleanliness is in place and to report any indicators of an infection to the Animal Plant Well being Company instantly.”

Chook flu, also called avian influenza or H5N1, is a illness brought on by a virus that infects birds and generally different animals.

A authorities spokesperson stated there had been a “small quantity” of circumstances of fowl flu in people within the UK since 2021.

All bar one had been asymptomatic, though they warned the an infection “might be severe”.

The infections had been detected in individuals who had “shut and extended contact with a lot of contaminated birds”.

The spokesperson stated the illness continued to contaminate new mammals and unfold between them, “growing the alternatives the virus has to evolve”.

“The priority is that these adjustments within the virus could in some unspecified time in the future permit it to unfold readily between individuals.”

Dr Meera Chand, rising an infection lead on the UK Well being Safety Company, stated present proof “means that the avian influenza viruses we’re seeing circulating all over the world don’t unfold simply to individuals”.

Dr Chand added: “The chance of avian flu to most of the people stays very low.”

The Division for Surroundings, Meals and Rural Affairs (Defra) stated 1.78 million farmed and captive birds had been culled between November and February as a result of unfold of the illness throughout the UK.

A authorities spokesperson stated the contaminated sheep was a feminine who had been exhibiting indicators of mastitis, an irritation of the udder tissue.

The lambs of the affected ewe examined unfavourable for fowl flu, the spokesperson added.

Whereas that is the primary time this virus has been reported in a sheep wherever on the planet, fowl flu has beforehand been detected in livestock in different nations, in accordance with Defra.

In response to the American public well being company the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC), circumstances have beforehand been discovered within the US in dairy cows.

The Nationwide Sheep Affiliation (NSA), which represents the views and pursuits of sheep producers within the UK, stated mixing completely different animals was “questionable at the very best of instances, however must be prevented when England is present process a interval of obligatory housing measures for poultry as a result of fowl flu outbreaks”.

The Yorkshire farm the place the case was discovered was a smallholding the place sheep and poultry had been being stored collectively, a spokesperson added.

NSA chief govt Phil Stocker stated the optimistic case was “not a risk to meals security of customers”.

Nationwide Farmers’ Union president Tom Bradshaw stated: “Farmers are understandably involved that avian influenza has been present in a sheep.

“This stays a single case inside what is known to be a yard flock, and no different an infection has been discovered amongst the remaining sheep.

“Industrial producers proceed to do all they will to guard their animals by following strict biosecurity measures.

“Whereas the danger to the nation’s livestock inhabitants stays low, it is vital that each one keepers of domesticated poultry, cattle, sheep and goats preserve excessive requirements of biosecurity and stay vigilant for any indicators of illness.”

Defra has positioned England in an “avian influenza safety zone” to forestall fowl flu and cease it spreading.

13 areas have additionally seen obligatory housing measures launched, which state that birds should be stored inside.

They’re Cheshire, Hull, East Driving of Yorkshire, Herefordshire, Lancashire, Merseyside, Norfolk, North Yorkshire, Shropshire, Suffolk, Worcestershire, and York.

The Meals Requirements Company stated correctly cooked poultry and poultry merchandise, together with eggs, remained suitable for eating.