October 12, 2022

expert comment on the bird flu situation in the UK

A comment from Professor Wendy Barclay on the current avian influenza outbreak in the UK.

Prof Wendy Barclay, Head of the Department of Infectious Disease at Imperial College London, and part of the FluMap consortium, says:

“There is an avian influenza ‘bird flu’ virus circulating here in the UK, across Europe, and in the US.  The virus appears to be able to infect birds very easily and can be lethal both in wild birds and poultry.

“We’ve been seeing unprecedented levels of the virus around the UK this year, and usually numbers increase as winter approaches, so the situation could get even worse.

“The outbreak is being closely monitored by APHA and DEFRA, but it is clear that farmed birds that are exposed to wild birds are vulnerable.

“There is no evidence this virus is dangerous for people, but this will be monitored carefully.  People should not handle infected birds.”

Declared interests

Prof Wendy Barclay: “I serve on SACED for DEFRA and receive funding as part of the FLUMAP consortium to study this outbreak.”