Bird flu outbreak fears have erupted after a case was confirmed at a premises near Yorkshire, with huge protection and surveillance zones « declared ».
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has issued an update, revealing « highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 » was confirmed at a commercial premises near Pickering, Thirsk and Malton, Yorkshire on March 3. A 3km protection zone and 10kn surveillance zone have been « declared » around the premises, with all poultry birds on the premises « himanely culled ». These measures apply from 18:40pm until the Department’s declaration is withdrawn or amended by further declaration.
The H5N1 is a subtype of the influenza A virus, which causes the disease avian influenza, often referred to as « bird flu ». In the past, it has been confirmed in poultry populations across Asia, Russia and some southern European countries. Although this is a bird disease, it has been shown in South East Asia that it can, rarely, be transmitted to humans.
It is also required to keep a record of anyone who transports poultry and not to organise or attend bird gatherings, such as fairs, markets, shows or sales.
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There are four strains that have caused concern in recent years:
- H5N1 (since 1997)
- H7N9 (since 2013)
- H5N6 (since 2014)
- H5N8 (since 2016)
Bird flu is spread through the saliva, mucus and faeces of infected birds and can cause severe respiratory illness.
Symptoms include a very high temperature, aching muscles, headache or a cough or shortness of breath. For medical advice, contact the NHS.
There have been a handful of sporadic cases of bird flu infecting humans in the UK, but the risk to the general public is considered very low.
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