Dec 9th, 2024
3 mins
The first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N5 of the current outbreak was confirmed in England on 5th November 2024.
The first case of HPAI H5N1 of the current outbreak was confirmed in England on the 17th November 2024.
Whilst there have been no cases of HPAI confirmed in Wales or Scotland during this outbreak. In line with World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) rules, Great Britain is no longer free from highly pathogenic avian influenza.
No cases of HPAI have been confirmed in Northern Ireland this season and Northern Ireland continues to have WOAH self-declared zonal freedom from highly pathogenic avian influenza.
The risk of HPAI H5 in wild birds in Great Britain is assessed as high (event occurs very often).
This means that the risk of poultry exposure to HPAI H5 in Great Britain is assessed as:
medium (event occurs regularly) (with low uncertainty) where there is suboptimal or poor biosecurity
low (event is rare but does occur) (with low uncertainty) where good biosecurity is consistently applied at all times.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) advise that bird flu is primarily a disease of birds and the risk to the general public’s health is very low.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has said bird flu poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers. Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.
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