Avian influenza (AI) H5N1 has been confirmed in a sheep in the U.K. The country’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) announced the discovery following repeat milk testing.
The case was identified following routine surveillance of co-located livestock in a premises where avian had been confirmed in captive birds. DEFRA introduced routine livestock surveillance on infected premises following the outbreak of AI in dairy cows in the U.S.
No other infections
The infected sheep was humanely culled to enable extensive testing. Further testing in the remaining sheep flock at the premises was undertaken but no further infection was found.
Despite this being a single case, the U.K. Chief Veterinary Officer. Christine Middlemiss is urging all livestock keepers to remain vigilant to the clinical signs of AI.
She said: “We have confirmed the detection of influenza of avian origin (H5N1) in a single sheep on a farm in Yorkshire. Strict biosecurity measures have been implemented to prevent the further spread of disease.
“While the risk to livestock remains low, I urge all animal owners to ensure scrupulous cleanliness is in place and to report any signs of infection to the Animal and Plant Health Agency immediately.”
Dr Meera Chand, Emerging Infection Lead at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) added that current evidence suggests that the AI viruses currently circulating do not spread easily to people. However, she added that the UKHSA had established preparations in place for detections of human cases of AI and would respond rapidly with the National Health Service and other partners if needed.
View our continuing coverage of the global avian influenza situation.
