Click here for the overview of AI currently identified in wild birds in Great Britain. The Republic of Ireland has confirmed a case of H5N8 in a wild duck in County Wexford (south east Ireland). You can find an updated Defra outbreak assessment on H5N8 HPAI in the UK and Europe here. In summary:
- Preliminary C&D has been completed on the infected premises in East Lindsey, Lincolnshire and initial visits and tracings have indicated no spread of disease.
- Four findings of H5N8 HPAI have now been made in wild birds: Widgeons found dead during routine wild bird surveillance in West Wales, Central and SW England and in a Peregrine Falcon in SW Scotland (situation has changed as reported above).
- The findings do not change our risk level for wild bird incursions, which is currently “high”, but it does improve our level of certainty to high.
- The risk to poultry remains at “low to medium” – this will vary according to the level of biosecurity on site, but is less about geographical region, given that infected wild birds have been detected in all GB Administrations.
- In cold weather, the AI virus will remain infectious in certain media, such as water or on some surfaces, for some time so regular cleansing and disinfection of equipment, vehicles and footwear is important.
Further outbreaks have continued to be reported in European Member States, as well as further afield in the Middle East and Asia.
If you have any queries regarding AI, please contact the practice on 01392 872932.