ETIDIOH - NEW

A small commercial flock of 69 chickens, 23 ducks and 5 geese. Increased mortality reported in chickens as well as a drop in egg production in the ducks. Samples were taken and tested positive for HPAI H5N1. Location:  Kirklees, West Yorkshire, England. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6552 ____

Abstract Influenza A viruses (IAVs) are prime examples of emerging viruses in humans and animals. IAV circulation in domestic animals poses a pandemic risk as it provides new opportunities for zoonotic infections. The recent emergence of H5N1 IAV in cows and subsequent spread over multiple states within the USA, together with reports of spillover infections in humans, cats and mice highlight this issue. The horse is a domestic animal in which an avian-origin IAV lineage has been circulating for >60 years . In 2018/19, a Florida Clade 1 (FC1) virus triggered one of the largest epizootics recorded in the UK , which led to the replacement of the Equine Influenza Virus (EIV) Florida Clade 2 (FC2) lineage that had been circulating in the country since 2003. We integrated geographical, epidemiological, and virus genetic data to determine the virological and ecological factors leading to this epizootic. By combining newly-sequenced EIV complete genomes derived from UK outbreaks with existi...

Abstract Surveillance of influenza A viruses in pigs (SwIAV) is critical for identification of novel genetic groups that pose a risk to pig health and might have zoonotic potential . SwIAVs circulating in pigs in England between 2014 and 2021 were characterised using whole genome sequencing (WGS). Haemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) sequencing data from 82 of 368 influenza A positive samples (71 submissions) were determined, identifying H1N1 and H1N2 subtypes from the 1A classical swine and 1B human-seasonal lineages respectively. The 1B lineage viruses were predominant, accounting for 68.29% of sequenced viruses, with 1A lineage viruses comprising 31.71%, primarily from the 1A.3.3.2 clade (2009 H1N1 pandemic origin). This study characterised previously undefined diversity within the 1B lineage which led to the designation of new HA clades 1B.1.1.1, 1B.1.1.2 and 1B.1.1.3. Complete genome data were obtained from 64/82 viruses thereby updating the definition of genetic diversity t...

Abstract Recent intercontinental spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) among kept and wild birds and transmission to mammalian hosts , including cattle and humans has heightened the need to review public health risk assessments . Biosecurity is essential for limiting disease spread, but how widely practices are implemented is not fully known. Here, we report on the uptake of biosecurity measures using questionnaire data collected in 2024 from people in contact with birds in the UK (Avian Contact Study). Almost half of the sample were poultry farmers (104/225). We found hand washing after contact with birds was the most common biosecurity measure implemented (89%, 196/218), followed by using disinfecting footwear dips (78%, 170/218). Individuals in contact with a higher number of birds were more likely to use at least one PPE measure for the face or body (χ^2 (1, n=217) = 32.452, p<0.001) or at least one footwear-related PPE measure (Df=1, n=217, p<0.001), ind...

Abstract Since 2020, large-scale outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in Great Britain have resulted in substantial poultry mortality and economic losses. Alongside the costs, the risk of circulation leading to a viral reassortment that causes zoonotic spillover raises additional concerns. However, the precise mechanisms driving transmission between poultry premises and the impact of potential control measures in Great Britain, such as vaccination, are not fully understood. We have developed a spatial transmission model for the spread of HPAI in poultry premises calibrated to infected premises data for the 2022--23 season using Markov chain Monte Carlo . Our results indicate that enhanced biosecurity measures and/or vaccination of the premises surrounding an identified infected premises can substantially reduce the overall number of infected premises. Our findings highlight that enhanced control measures could limit the future impact of HPAI on the poultry industr...

Abstract We detected influenza D virus in multiple swine herds in Northern Ireland . Whole-genome sequencing showed several circulating genotypes and novel mutations in the receptor-binding site and esterase domains of the hemagglutinin-esterase fusion protein. Transmission routes of influenza D virus to swine remain to be clarified but could be direct or indirect. Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/5/24-1948_article ____

Sheep, March 2025 One domestic sheep (Ovis aries) tested positive for influenza of avian origin (H5N1) in March 2025 . The case was identified following routine surveillance of farmed livestock on a premises in Yorkshire where highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) had been confirmed in other captive birds . The single animal was a ewe with signs of mastitis but no other clinical signs . The milk was positive by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the blood tested positive for H5 antibodies.   All affected birds and the infected ewe were humanely culled to mitigate the risk of further disease spread. Further official testing of the remaining flock of sheep were all negative for the presence of avian influenza virus. Source: DEFRA,  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bird-flu-avian-influenza-findings-in-captive-mammals/confirmed-findings-of-influenza-of-avian-origin-in-captive-mammals ____

{Highland Scotland} Flock of 23 chickens and 4 goose. Increased mortality reported. Samples taken were found positive for HPAI H5N1. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6357 ____

On 12th September 2024, a dead Tristan (Brown) Skua (Stercorarius antarcticus hamiltoni) was found at the Gough Island helipad. The following day, a live skua was observed showing suspicious signs of HPAI , including head drooping, lethargy and weakness , and was later reported dead. Between the 12th and 15th September, a total of four skuas were found dead from suspicious causes. Three carcasses were swabbed on the 20th of September and all were confirmed POSITIVE for H5N1 HPAIV by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (Weybridge laboratory) in the UK on the 24th of October 2024. On the day of sampling, the fourth carcass could not be found and was probably taken away by a scavenging skua. Since then, no further signs of HPAI among skuas or in other seabirds breeding on Gough Island, have been observed. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6354 ____

The UK Health Security Agency has been informed under the International Health Regulations that an individual travelled to England from Nigeria while they were unwell with Lassa fever at the end of February. The individual returned to Nigeria where they were diagnosed . We are now working to identify people who were in contact with the affected individual while they were in the country. Lassa fever does not spread easily between people and the overall risk to the public is very low . If you have not been contacted by UKHSA then you are very unlikely to have had any exposure to Lassa fever and do not need to take action. Lassa fever causes acute infections which can range from very mild symptoms through to a severe viral haemorrhagic fever. People usually become infected with Lassa virus through exposure to food or household items contaminated with urine or faeces of infected rats – present in some West African countries where the disease is endemic. The virus can also be spread between...

{England} Commercial turkey fattening unit with 27,658 turkeys. Increased mortality and other clinical signs of HPAI reported. The samples were positive for HPAI H5N1. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6314 ____

{Northern Ireland} About 63,000 68 and 78-week-old layers across four houses. Increased mortality, feed drop and egg abnormalities. The samples taken were positive for HPAI H5N1. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6288 ____

 {February 13 2025} Latest update A new case of clade Ib mpox has been detected in England, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) can confirm .  The case was detected in London and the individual is now under specialist care at the Royal Free Hospital High Consequence Infectious Diseases unit. They had recently returned from Uganda , where there is currently community transmission of clade Ib mpox. The UKHSA and NHS will not be disclosing any further details about the individual. The risk to the UK population remains low . In the context of the outbreak in parts of Africa, we expect to see the occasional imported case of clade Ib mpox in the UK. This is the eighth case of clade Ib mpox confirmed in England since October 2024. This case has no links to the previous cases identified in England. Close contacts of the case are being followed up by UKHSA and partner organisations. Contacts will be offered testing and vaccination where needed to prevent further infections and they w...

480 mixed free-range commercial broiler and layer unit. HPAI clinical signs reported, including depression and reduced food and water intake. Samples taken were positive for H5N1. Region: England, Cornwall. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6255 _____

 Two Greylag Goose, one Eurasian buzzard, two Eurasian Jackdaw, one Whooper Swan, one Common Guineafowl in Northern Ireland. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6248 _____

UKHSA has confirmed a case of influenza A(H5N1) in a person in the West Midlands region. Bird-to-human transmission of avian influenza is rare and has previously occurred a small number of times in the UK . The person acquired the infection on a farm , where they had close and prolonged contact with a large number of infected birds. The risk to the wider public continues to be very low. The individual is currently well and was admitted to a High Consequence Infectious Disease (HCID) unit. The birds were infected with the DI.2 genotype , one of the viruses known to be circulating in birds in the UK this season. This is different to strains circulating among mammals and birds in the US. Although there has been no demonstrated human-to-human transmission despite extensive recent surveillance of influenza A(H5N1), UKHSA has been tracing all individuals who have been in contact with the confirmed case of avian influenza. Those at highest risk of exposure have been offered antiviral treatmen...

A 1.4 million egg laying and rearing flock . Increased mortality and other clinical signs were reported. Samples taken tested positive for HPAI H5N1. England, Shropshire Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6209 _____

A 13,316 commercial turkey fattening unit . Increased mortality and other clinical signs were reported. Samples taken and tested positive for HPAI H5N1. England, East Riding of Yorkshire Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6206 _____

A 240 free-range layer unit . Increased mortality and other clinical signs were reported. Samples taken and tested positive for HPAI H5N1. England, East Sussex Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6207 _____

{Scotland} Backyard flock with 6 hens, approximately 5 months old. Increased mortality and other clinical signs reported. Official samples were H5N1 HPAI positive. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6186 _____