Displaying items by tag: avian influenza

The Government has secured over five million doses of a bird flu vaccine to prepare for potential human transmission of the H5N1 virus, despite no current evidence of such spread. The vaccine is part of broader efforts to enhance the nation's pandemic preparedness. Bird flu remains primarily a threat to birds, but certain strains, including H5N1, have been linked to human infections. Symptoms range from flu-like illnesses to more severe complications like conjunctivitis. The vaccine will only be deployed if human transmission begins. Public health minister Andrew Gwynne stressed the government’s commitment to safeguarding public health through proactive measures. Health agencies are actively monitoring avian influenza in humans, birds, and animals, contributing to global understanding and response strategies against the virus.

An avian influenza prevention zone has been declared across England, Scotland and Wales to reduce the risk of the disease spreading following a number of confirmed cases in recent weeks. This means that all bird keepers must follow strict biosecurity measures. Those with more than 500 birds now need to restrict access for non-essential people on their sites; workers must change clothing and footwear before entering bird enclosures, and site vehicles need to be cleaned and disinfected regularly. Backyard owners with smaller numbers of poultry including chickens, ducks and geese are also urged to strengthen their biosecurity measures in order to prevent further outbreaks of avian influenza in the UK. Public Health England said the risk to public health is very low, and the Food Standards Agency advises that ‘avian influenza poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers’.