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There have been several reports of high levels of avian influenza in the UK.
Prof Ian Brown, Head of Virology Department at the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), said:
“Avian influenza can be a serious infection of birds. Some strains such as the H5N1 currently causing outbreaks in the UK have a very high lethality when it spreads from wild birds to domestic poultry. The best approach for prevention is for keepers of birds to maintain rigorous hygiene to avoid spread of infection from wild birds (including contaminated environments near to where birds are kept). Annually in autumn/winter large numbers of migratory waterfowl come to the UK. On their journey from their summer breeding grounds they stop off and can be exposed to virus. They can carry this virus along their journey with them ultimately ending up in the UK. So far this winter surveillance looking for the virus in GB wild birds has found large numbers positive for virus (in excess of 300 which is the tip of the iceberg). Already the number of cases in domestic poultry is the largest outbreak with avian influenza in the UK (38 to date cf 26 last winter) and will likely get larger dependent on the rigour with which keepers of birds apply good measures for prevention.
“There are more birds reared at this time of year so increased chances for infection of flocks. However there is a medium term risk this season right through to the spring. The infection via wild birds and the environment will not quickly disappear.
“The virus has been carefully analysed and assessed as very low risk for human health.
“Scientists continue to track and monitor the virus as the epidemic continues. Genomic sequencing as for COVID19 is being done on all our poultry cases. We are carefully cataloguing how the virus is spreading within flocks, the disease signs it causes, and the pathology of infection – all of which we recognise have subtle variations in different poultry species. Measures remain vigilance amongst bird keepers for the first signs of disease and to report but redouble checks to ensure good farm hygiene (advice on Defra website). The best way to prevent and control is to follow these approaches.”
James Russell, British Veterinary Senior Vice President, said:
“Avian Influenza (AI) commonly circulates in the winter months and is largely spread by migratory birds which return to the UK and pass it on to other birds.
“We share UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss’s concerns about the high case numbers this year. There have been 40 infected premises reported across the UK so far, which is very high for the time of year, so we are urging vets and poultry keepers to continue to remain vigilant. The quick identification of the cases and precautionary measures to contain the disease demonstrate the importance of robust veterinary disease surveillance and prompt reporting.
“BVA is urging all poultry keepers to talk to their vet if they have any concerns, to maintain biosecurity measures and to strictly follow any requirements in order to not only protect their own flocks but to ensure the spread is limited as much and as quickly as possible.
“BVA has also teamed up with the British Veterinary Poultry Association (BVPA), British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) and British Veterinary Zoological Society (BVZS) to issue new guidance to veterinary professionals so they know the steps they should follow and have up to date advice.”
Dr Samantha Lycett, Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, said:
“This strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza has previously caused outbreaks in Europe and the UK in the autumn/winter seasons for 2014/15, 2016/17 and 2020/21. It looks to be being brought to the UK from migrating wild birds, and this autumn/winter season it again looks to be making incursions into the UK from wild birds. Therefore it is important to comply with the housing order for poultry, to reduce the risk of infection from wild birds. Roslin and EPIC scientists are investigating aspects of avian influenza incursions, transmission and spread.”
Prof Bruce Whitelaw, Prof of Animal Biotechnology and Interim Director of The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, said:
“The current level of avian flu in birds across the UK illustrates how the virus doesn’t care which animal it infects. Defra are actioning short term actions including indoor housing to restrict the spread. These actions are important. The Roslin Institute is focussing on longer term disease mitigation strategies, and specifically is developing new genetic methods to combat influenza in animals, including the use of genome editing technology. ”
Prof Paul Wigley, Professor of Avian Infection & Immunity at the University of Liverpool, said:
“Avian Influenza, and in particular High Pathogenicity Avian influenza (HPAI) we are seeing currently in the UK, is a serious viral infection of a number of bird species. Its greatest impact is in food-producing birds such as chickens and turkeys where it can cause a range of symptoms including respiratory and nervous system problems resulting in high mortality rates.
“The main threat of HPAI to the UK is its introduction by migratory wild birds that are largely unaffected by the virus but may shed virus from both respiratory secretions and more importantly in their faeces which may contaminate natural water courses and indeed soil. Whilst there are incidences of HPAI most years, the number this year is – as described by the Chief Veterinary Officer – exceptionally high. We are fortunate that the UK through APHA has a world leading surveillance system and that we can usually detect outbreaks early and apply appropriate measures quickly and effectively. The restrictions placed by DEFRA including housing poultry indoors are entirely appropriate in controlling this infection and protecting our egg and poultry meat producers. Whilst the numbers involved may seem large, they are still a small fraction of an industry that rears around a billion animals annually and the threat to supplies is minimal.
“Avian Influenza belongs to the same group of viruses (Influenza A) that can cause human influenza, though human and avian strains are usually distinctly different versions of the virus, or serotypes. Nevertheless the serotype in this outbreak, H5N1, has been previously associated with human infection. Whilst the risk of the infection to the public is extremely low, the current biosecurity measures and the advice given by Christine Middlemiss to avoid any contact with diseased or dead birds should be followed.
“There is no risk from the consumption of meat or eggs, with previous human cases being largely confined to those with prolonged close contact with infected live birds. At present, control of HPAI through vaccination is not possible, therefore measures such as movement restrictions, high biosecurity and indoor housing are the best and only viable options.”
eg https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-59585618
Declared interests
Prof Bruce Whitelaw: “I am a University research scientist working on genome editing technology. My research is funded by public (BBSRC) and commercial sources. I am currently the Interim Director of The Roslin Institute and on the Board of Directors of Roslin Technologies.”
None others received.