Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N5 confirmed in East Yorkshire
A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N5 was confirmed at premises near Hornsea in East Yorkshire yesterday (6 November).
All bird keepers should remain vigilant and follow stringent biosecurity measures to prevent future outbreaks. More information is available on the GOV.UK website.
According to updated guidance from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), the risk level of HPAI H5 in wild birds has increased from medium to high.
Meanwhile, the risk level in poultry where good biosecurity is consistently applied at all times has increased from very low to low with "low uncertainty". Where there is sub-optimal or poor biosecurity remains assessed as low but is heightened with high uncertainty.
While findings of HPAI in wild birds during recent years have been dominated by the H5N1 virus strain, the finding of HPAI H5N5 was likely this season and follows previous findings in Great Britain and recent detections of the strain in continental Europe.
Further information on the evidence which supports these risk levels can be found in UK Government risk and outbreak assessments.
All bird keepers are being strongly encouraged to remain vigilant and practise stringent biosecurity to protect the health and welfare of their birds. Guidance on how to protect poultry can be found on the Government's website.
Definitive requirements are set out in the published declarations for each disease control zone currently in force. More information is available on GOV.UK.
Individuals can check whether they are located within a specific control zone by using the APHA's interactive map.
AIC Members can access general biosecurity advice on the AIC website.
Authors
James McCulloch
Simon Williams
Simon Williams is Technical Manager for AIC Services. He is based at AIC Head Office, Peterborough and is responsible for the management and coordination of the FEMAS and UFAS assurance schemes as well as being the key contact for mutual recognition with European scheme owners and managing Earned Recognition relationships with UK feed and food competent authorities.
