UK: 2022 - 2023 H5N1, H5N5 in Wild Birds

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-61998139

Gloucester City Councillors fear gull bird flu outbreak
Published 4 hours ago

A sharp rise in the gull population could lead to a bird flu outbreak, council leaders fear.

Avian flu is an infectious influenza that spreads among birds and some strains of bird flu can pass to humans.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said the risk to humans is very low and usually required very close contact with an infected bird.

But Gloucester City Council leader Richard Cook feared this could be a real possibility locally.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said council estimates suggest there were about 6,000 gulls in the city as of 2019.

But changes introduced since then mean they have not been able to do any surveys.

Mr Cook said the gulls in his area are of a high risk because they share very "close proximity to humans" whilst "messing all over the place and snatching food" from people...

 

[JJackson]

While there is some overlap between the sea birds and other avian groups H13Nx and H16Nx are their main serotypes.

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-bird-reserves-closed-after-suspected-avian-flu-outbreak-493656

UK bird reserves closed after suspected avian flu outbreak
AFP
Edinburgh, United Kingdom Updated: Jul 01, 2022, 11:52 PM(IST)

Seabird reserves in northeast England and Scotland have been closed to visitors after a suspected outbreak of bird flu, officials said on Friday.

The decision to close the Farne Islands, a popular draw for tourists who come to see puffins close up, was made after several hundred seabirds died on nearby Coquet Island.

Farne Islands general manager Simon Lee said seabirds that nest in dense colonies, such as Arctic terns, were vulnerable as they return to breed...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news...rd-flu-outbreak-scotland-scottish-spca-warns/

Glasgow affected by the worst bird flu outbreak in Scotland, Scottish SPCA warns
9 hrs ago
By Eszter Tárnai

A warning has been issued following a surge in bird flu cases, including in Glasgow.

The Scottish SPCA has released a statement about a recent outbreak of the disease, which they called "the worst Scotland has experienced in terms of transmission and mortality rates".

Confirming that there have been cases reported in the Glasgow area, the organisation said they are currently not admitting wild birds to their National Wildlife Rescue Centre due to the highly contagious avian influenza...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.newsletter.co.uk/health/bird-flu-is-detected-on-rathlin-island-3762369


Bird flu is detected on Rathlin Island (Northern Ireland)
By The Newsroom
Friday, 8th July 2022, 10:55 pm

The disease was found in a number of wild seabirds on the island off the coast of Co Antrim.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) confirmed positive results for Avian Influenza following tests on birds from the island.

It comes a month after the protection zone for Northern Ireland was lifted...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.newsletter.co.uk/countr...irds-on-northern-irelands-north-coast-3764511

Avian flu found in wild seabirds on Northern Ireland’s north coast
Avian flu has been detected in five wild seabirds on the north coast of Northern Ireland.
By The Newsroom
Monday, 11th July 2022, 10:26 pm

Positive results for the disease were recorded in one gannet and four guillemots discovered in Portrush West Strand and Portballintrae.

Last week bird flu was discovered on Rathlin Island.

The Public Health Agency has advised that human infections with avian influenza are rare and that the risk to the general public’s health is very low...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq58ndpv9j9o

Two cases of bird flu confirmed in Guernsey
Published
56 minutes ago

Guernsey has confirmed its first two cases of bird flu in 2022.

Two herring gulls were found with avian influenza on the weekend of the 9 and 10 July.

The States veterinary officers have published guidance for owners of poultry on how to protect birds and themselves from the virus...

 

[Pathfinder]

Immediate notification
Influenza A viruses of high pathogenicity (Inf. with) (non-poultry including wild birds) (2017-), United Kingdom
...
General Information

COUNTRY OR ZONE
ZONE

DISEASE
Influenza A viruses of high pathogenicity (Inf. with) (non-poultry including wild birds) (2017-)

STARTED ON
11-07-2022

ANIMAL TYPE
TERRESTRIAL

GENOTYPE/ SEROTYPE/ SUBTYPE
H5N1

CONFIRMED ON
13-07-2022

REASON
First occurrence in a zone or a compartment

CAUSAL AGENT
Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus

ENDED ON
-

DISEASE CATEGORY
OIE-listed

REPORTED ON
14-07-2022

LAST OCCURRENCE
-

Epidemiology

SOURCE OF EVENT OR ORIGIN OF INFECTION
- Contact with wild species


EPIDEMIOLOGICAL COMMENTS
Epidemiological investigation ongoing
...

Outbreaks

ob_104926 - Guernsey

OUTBREAK REFERENCE
220711_Gulls

STARTED ON
11-07-2022

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL UNIT
Other

NUMBER OF OUTBREAKS
-

ENDED ON
13-07-2022

AFFECTED POPULATION DESCRIPTION
-

APPROXIMATE LOCATION
Guernsey

FIRST ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION
Guernsey Exclusive Economic Zone

SECOND ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION
-

THIRD ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION
-

GEOGRAPHIC COORDINATES
Lat : 49.45

Long : -2.53


SPECIES MEASURING UNIT SUSCEPTIBLE CASES DEATHS KILLED AND DISPOSED OF SLAUGHTERED/KILLED FOR COMMERCIAL USE VACCINATED
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus):Laridae-Charadriiformes NEW Animal - 2 2 - - -
TOTAL Animal - 2 2 - - -
- NEW Animal - 2 2 - - -
TOTAL Animal - 2 2

...
https://wahis.woah.org/#/report-info?reportId=57070

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/bird-flu-at-scolt-head-island-9147116

Hundreds of dead birds found at Scolt Head Island
Aaron McMillan
Published: 7:24 PM July 15, 2022

Bird flu has killed hundreds of birds on a Norfolk breeding ground.

Several hundred dead Sandwich Terns were discovered by a warden of Scolt Head Island, near Brancaster.

In one Twitter post, the warden said he collected hundreds of dead Sandwich Terns in bin bags. He said: “the stench of death is everywhere, dead and dying chicks litter the ground in uncountable numbers.”

The nature reserve off the north Norfolk coast is managed under lease by Natural England and is home to about 4,000 breeding pairs of Sandwich Terns...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.obantimes.co.uk/2022/07/15/islay-bird-flu-cases-confirmed/

Islay bird flu case confirmed
Fiona Scott
Updated: 15/07/22, 6:38 pm

The organisation responsible for sampling and analysis of dead birds have confirmed a positive case of avian influenza in a wild bird carcass on Islay.

The news follows a spate of wild bird deaths the length of the Kintyre coastline, Mull and other West Coast locations throughout this week.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural affairs confirmed the Islay case to Argyll and Bute Council this afternoon.

A council spokesperson said: ‘We will continue to do all that we as a council can do to support the area...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-tyne-62182510

Bird flu ravages tern populations at Coquet Island breeding spot
Published 18 hours ago

The impact of bird flu at a breeding colony off the Northumberland coast has been described as "catastrophic".

Thousands of seabirds including the rare roseate terns, which use Coquet Island as their only nesting spot in the UK, have been killed.

Bird flu was confirmed at the sanctuary two weeks ago and is being closely monitored by the RSPB.

The island hosts colonies of roseate, sandwich, arctic and common terns, as well as gulls, kittiwakes and puffins...

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Source: https://www.iwradio.co.uk/news/isle...-more-than-40-gulls-found-dead-in-west-wight/

Bird Flu Fears After More Than 40 Gulls Found Dead In West Wight
Isle of Wight News
Saturday, July 16th, 2022 10:22am
By Oliver Dyer

There are fears over a bird flu outbreak on the Isle of Wight after more than 40 gulls were found dead near the Needles.

The birds were discovered on shingles by paddle boarders at Scratchells Bay yesterday evening (Friday).

It’s said the incident has been reported to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), which is believed to be investigating...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-isle-of-man-62271366

Bird flu confirmed in seabirds found dead on Isle of Man coast
Published 52 minutes ago

More than 50 dead seabirds found washed up on beaches on the west coast of the Isle of Man this week had bird flu, the government has confirmed.

Samples taken from the birds, which were mainly guillemots, confirmed they had died from the highly contagious H5N1 strain of avian influenza.

It is the same strain confirmed in recent outbreaks in seabird colonies in Scotland...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/20...outbreak-kills-thousands-birds-unprecedented/


Farne Islands avian flu outbreak kills thousands of birds in ‘unprecedented wildlife tragedy’
The Farnes, which are looked after by the National Trust, provide an internationally-renowned habitat for 23 species, including puffins
By Michael Murphy 25 July 2022 • 9:57am

A bird flu outbreak on one of the UK's most important habitats has killed thousands of birds in an "unprecedented wildlife tragedy".

Rangers working on the Farne Islands off the Northumberland coast have donned protective suits and so far collected more than 3,000 bird carcases for incineration.

This is far from the total figure, island authorities said, which could run into the tens of thousands depending on the extent of the contagion.

The Farnes, which are looked after by the National Trust, provide an internationally-renowned habitat for 23 species, including puffins, with 200,000 birds living there....

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-jersey-62333371

Dead seagull tests positive for bird flu in Jersey
Published 23 hours ago

A fourth case of bird flu has been reported in Jersey in 2022.

Birdkeepers are being encouraged to increase biosecurity measures after a herring gull found dead in Gorey tested positive for avian influenza.

Bird flu was first found in two birds on the island in February. A third case was discovered in March.

Deputy chief veterinary officer Caroline Terburgh said poultry owners should follow "stringent" measures to avoid the disease spreading...

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Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-isle-of-man-62326605

Bird flu restrictions imposed on Calf of Man over dead seabirds
Published 20 hours ago

Restrictions have been put in place on the Calf of Man after dead birds washed up on Manx beaches were found to have avian flu.

Manx National Heritage (MNH) said disinfectant mats had been put in place and access by all seabird colonies and seabird ringing had been suspended.

The island, which is just off the south coast of the Isle of Man, is home to a bird observatory.

The nature reserve is used by 33 species of birds for breeding...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://westbridgfordwire.com/avian...ims-150-birds-so-far-see-advice-for-visitors/

Avian Flu at Attenborough claims 150 birds so far – see advice for visitors
By Wire
1:41 pm 3 Aug 2022
UPDATED: 1:43 pm 3 Aug 2022

Since the turn of the year, the UK has been dealing with an unprecedented number of Avian Flu cases – with restrictions affecting domestic birds and worrying reports of impacts on wild birds including sea bird colonies.

In recent months there have been several confirmed cases in domestic or commercial poultry locally and a number of parks and nature reserves across Nottinghamshire and neighbouring counties and beyond have sadly experienced outbreaks.

Over the past 10 days the Trust, which cares for more than 40 nature reserves across the county, has been dealing with a suspected outbreak of Avian Flu at Attenborough Nature Reserve off Barton Lane, Chilwell. Staff from the charity’s Nature Recovery (South) team have collected over 150 dead birds so far, though numbers seem to be slowing...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/bird-flu-south-wales-rspb-b2138146.html

Bird flu arrives in South Wales as RSPB calls for government action
Globally important colonies of seabirds now at risk from ‘devastating’ disease which has already caused mass deaths of seabirds on UK coast
Harry Cockburn
Environment Correspondent

The bird flu virus, which has already killed hundreds of thousands of seabirds around the coast of the UK, has reached islands off Pembrokeshire in South Wales, home to globally important colonies of birds...

 

[kiwibird]

As well as the nationwide destruction of bird life by Avian Flu additional deaths have been happening with the heat in the UK. This will be worse on continental Europe as the heatwave there has been longer and more severe.

https://www.mylondon.news/news/uk-world-news/birds-falling-out-sky-because-24527878

Birds have started falling from the sky as the heatwave continues into its second day this week. The record breaking hot weather - which has reached up to 40 degrees Celsius - has seen swift birds drop from the air as they battle to stay hydrated in the heat.

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/bird-flu-farne-islands-outbreak-death-b2143432.html

Bird flu outbreak on Farne Islands ‘could kill up to 50,000 birds’
Experts fear virus could spread to internationally significant populations of other types of birds coming to UK
Jane Dalton
13 hours ago

Between 30,000 and 50,000 birds are likely to have died so far in a crucial island colony in the UK’s worst bird flu epidemic, National Trust chiefs say.

The outbreak of avian flu on the Farne Islands off the Northumberland coast has been described as an “unprecedented wildlife tragedy”.

And experts fear the virus could spread to internationally significant populations of other types of birds coming to the UK.

Last month, wardens in white suits collected around 3,000 bird corpses from the islands.

Now that number has risen to 5,000 - but the rangers say actual deaths could be 10 times that number, because many carcasses will not yet have been found.

The islands, a national nature reserve, are an internationally important habitat for 23 species and home to about 200,000 seabirds, including guillemots, kittiwakes, razorbills and shags, as well as Arctic terns and puffins.

Gwen Potter from the trust, which cares for the islands, said they had not seen anything like it before and that cliff-nesting birds such as guillemots and kittiwakes were among the worst affected.

Half the islands’ sandwich terns have died, she told Radio 4’s PM...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.three.fm/news/isle-of-m...d-dead-in-peel-died-of-bird-flu-gov-confirms/

Peregrine falcon found dead in Peel died of bird flu, Gov confirms
Saturday, August 13th, 2022 8:01am
By Helen McKenna

A bird of prey found in Peel this week has died from bird flu.

Tests have confirmed the peregrine falcon is the seventh bird to have died from the H5N1 strain on the Island since July.

Nearly 200 dead seabirds have recently been collected by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, and while it hasn't been possible to test them all, avian influenza is believed to be the cause. ..

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cornwall-62616188

Bird flu fears on Isles of Scilly after 40 birds found dead
Published 1 hour ago

More than 40 birds have died on the Isles of Scilly amid fears that bird flu has spread to the islands.

The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust said dead birds would be tested for bird flu by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Birds have been culled by Defra at Mousehole Wild Bird Hospital and Sanctuary in Cornwall, where an outbreak was confirmed on Friday.

No figure on the number of birds being culled was immediately available...