Cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Increasing Across Great Britain

Over the last week, highly pathogenic Avian Flu (HPAI) H5N1 has been confirmed in commercial poultry at several premises across the UK. 3km protection zones and 10km surveillance zones have been announced around these premises, and all poultry on site are to be humanely culled.

The Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) in place across East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston Upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk, has been extended to include the following areas from 16 February 2025:

  • Shropshire
  • York
  • North Yorkshire
  • Herefordshire
  • Worcestershire
  • Cheshire
  • Merseyside
  • Lancashire

The rest of England is now under an additional AIPZ mandating enhanced biosecurity.

What is Avian Influenza?

Avian Flu is a type of influenza that causes severe respiratory disease in birds. Human cases of Avian Flu (H5N1) occur infrequently, and human to human transmission is difficult.

Close contact with infected live or dead birds, or H5N1-contaminated environments, are the leading cause of infections in humans. Many human infections with the H5N1 virus have been linked to the handling of diseased or dead birds prior to cooking.

Though questions may arise whether such poultry is safe to eat, research shows that it is safe to eat poultry where it has been properly prepared and cooked. Ordinary temperatures used for cooking will eliminate the virus as it is sensitive to heat.

How can we prevent the virus?

Thorough disinfection of any location that may have been infected is crucial to halting transmission. It is possible to test the efficacy of disinfectants against Avian flu and this is something that Melbec can help with.

If you have a product you would like to test for efficacy against H5N1, please contact us at clientservices@melbecmicrobiology.co.uk or give us a call on 01706 214492.

For more information, visit GOV.UK.

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