Defra: Change to HPAI H5 Wild Bird Risk Level

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A notice from Defra has confirmed that the risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5 in wild birds in Great Britain has reduced from medium (event occurs regularly) to low (event is rare but does occur).

The risk of poultry exposure to HPAI H5 in Great Britain remains assessed as:

·       low (event is rare but does occur) (with medium uncertainty) where there are substantial biosecurity breaches and poor biosecurity

·       low (event is rare but does occur) (with low uncertainty) where good biosecurity is applied

While the UK has now declared itself free of HPAI in poultry in line with World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) rules, both HPAI H5N1 and H5N5 continue to be found in wild birds in Great Britain and Europe. Outbreaks of HPAI H5N1 also continue to occur in poultry and other captive birds in several countries in Europe.

The virus is still circulating in wild birds in Great Britain and all bird keepers should remain vigilant for signs of disease to protect the health and welfare of their birds.

The risk is continually reviewed, and it is too early to predict the outlook for future seasons and risk levels may increase again in autumn associated with the migratory pattern of waterfowl and environmental conditions becoming more favourable for virus survival.

Find details of the evidence that supported these decisions in the latest APHA outbreak assessments available on gov.uk 

Keepers should maintain high standards of biosecurity at all times for the health and welfare of their birds. Good biosecurity is an essential defence against diseases such as avian influenza and is key to limiting the spread of avian influenza in an outbreak. Biosecurity guidance and a biosecurity self-assessment checklist have been published by Defra to assist all bird keepers in instigating and maintaining good biosecurity

Reporting Suspicion of Avian Influenza in Poultry, other Captive Birds or Kept Mammals

• Keepers must keep a close watch on their birds and kept mammals (including pets) for any signs of disease, and seek prompt advice from a vet if they have any concerns.
• Clinical signs indicative of infection with an avian influenza virus must be reported in England to Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301. In Wales, contact 0300 303 8268. In Scotland, contact to the local Field Services Office. Failure to do so is an offence. 

Reporting Dead Wild Birds

• The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) carries out year-round surveillance of dead wild birds submitted via public reports and warden patrols as part of its wild bird surveillance programme.
• In Great Britain members of the public are encouraged to report findings of dead wild birds using the online reporting system or by calling the Defra helpline (03459 33 55 77).
• APHA triages reports and does not collect all birds. They adjust the collection thresholds for dead wild birds for different species to increase or decrease the sensitivity of surveillance.
• APHA publish a report (updated weekly) on findings of HPAI in wild birds in Great Britain and further information on reports of avian influenza in wild bird in Great Britain and across Europe are available via APHAs outbreak assessments. 

• APHA have also launched a new interactive map of reported wild bird mortality and findings of avian influenza virus (bird flu) in wild birds and wild mammals and an interactive data dashboard of findings of avian influenza virus in wild birds. 

Reporting Suspicion of Influenza of Avian Origin in Wild Mammals

• Avian influenza (bird flu) viruses can also infect mammals.
• If members of the public find a dead wild carnivore (e.g. fox, otter, pine marten, stoat, weasel, pole cat, mink) or marine mammal (e.g. seal, dolphin, porpoise, whale) where the cause of death is unknown, or the animal has shown signs of respiratory or neurological disease prior to death they should report it immediately to APHA by calling:

• 03000 200 301 if you’re in England
• 03003 038 268 if you’re in Wales
• your local Field Services Office if you’re in Scotland

• If you examine a wild mammal or a test a sample from a wild mammal and suspect or detect the presence of avian influenza virus or antibodies to avian influenza virus you must report it immediately to APHA using the telephone numbers above. If you do not report it, you’re breaking the law.  

Outbreak Case Summary

In summary, the following cases of avian influenza have been confirmed in the UK (outbreak seasons run from October to September):

England:

• WOAH self-declaration for zonal freedom from HPAI for Great Britain effective from 29 March 2024 (last case of HPAI confirmed in England on the 14 February 2024).

• 4 cases of HPAI H5N1 in 2023/2024
• 160 cases of HPAI H5N1 in 2022/2023
• 134 cases of HPAI H5N1 in 2021/2022.

Scotland:

• WOAH self-declaration for zonal freedom from HPAI for Great Britain effective from 29 March 2024 (last case of HPAI confirmed in Scotland on the 22 November 2023).
• 2 cases of HPAI H5N1 in 2023/2024
• 38 cases of HPAI H5N1 and 1 case of LPAI H7N3 in 2022/2023
• 11 cases of HPAI H5N1 in 2021/2022.

Wales:

• WOAH self-declaration for zonal freedom from HPAI for Great Britain effective from 29 March 2024 (last case of HPAI confirmed in Wales on the 27 April 2023).

• 0 cases of HPAI H5N1 in 2023/2024
• 8 cases of HPAI H5N1 in 2022/2023.
• 7 cases of HPAI H5N1 in 2021/2022.

Northern Ireland:

• WOAH self-declaration for zonal freedom from HPAI for Northern Ireland effective from 31 March 2023 (last case of HPAI confirmed on the 16 October 2022).

• 0 cases of HPAI H5N1 in 2023/2024
• 1 case of HPAI H5N1 in 2022/2023.
• 6 cases of HPAI H5N1 in 2021/2022.

This has been the largest ever UK outbreak of avian influenza (prior to this the largest number of cases was 26 cases in 2020/2021 and 13 cases in 2016/2017).