UK IS BATTLING THE ‘LARGEST-EVER’ BIRD FLU OUTBREAK

Thu 09 December 2021:

The UK government announced on Thursday that roughly half a million birds have been culled this year as the country confronts its “largest-ever” avian flu outbreak.

In addition to culling, new guidelines mandate that all captive birds be kept indoors and that strict biosecurity precautions be followed to prevent the virus from spreading.

However, officials are growing concerned that the disease is being spread by wild birds migrating from continental Europe over the winter months.

Wild bird species affected include geese, ducks, and swans, with a handful of birds of prey also known to have died.

“Each year the UK faces a seasonal risk in incursion of avian influenza associated with migratory wild birds,” Environment Secretary George Eustice told parliament.

“This year we are now seeing the largest-ever outbreak in the UK of avian influenza.” Avian influenza presents a very low risk to human health, according to public health advice, and there is a low food safety risk.

The disease is harming a variety of poultry enterprises across the United Kingdom, according to the RSPB animal welfare charity.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK’s chief veterinary officer, said there were 40 affected premises in the country, with 33 in England.

“We are going to need to keep up these levels of heightened biosecurity for all that time,” Middlemiss said, adding the country was only a few weeks into a migratory season that lasts until March.

She told the BBC that the “phenomenal level” has “huge human, animal, and trade implications.”

She said the disease was being spread by migratory birds flying back from the north of Russia and eastern Europe, and insisted further research was needed to prevent a worsening outbreak in the future.

“We can’t wait until another year and have an even bigger outbreak. So, we will be working not just with our own scientists but internationally, to understand more of what we can do about what’s behind it,” Dr Middlemiss told the broadcaster.

The vet warned the UK was only a few weeks into a migratory season that goes until March, as Defra’s figures showed 31 confirmed infected premises in England, three in Wales, two in Scotland and two in Northern Ireland.

“We are going to need to keep up these levels of heightened biosecurity for all that time,” she said.

Keepers of birds must continue to take safeguards such as cleaning and disinfecting clothing, equipment, and vehicles on a regular basis, as well as limiting access for non-essential staff and guests.

The government has stated that the new housing policies will be reviewed on a regular basis.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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