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Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-59585618
UK chief vet warns avian flu at phenomenal level in UK
By Claire Marshall
BBC Environment & Rural Affairs Correspondent
Published 11 hours ago
The UK's chief veterinary officer has told the BBC there is a "phenomenal level" of avian flu in the UK.
Tens of thousands of farmed birds have already been culled, as the" largest number of premises ever" in an avian influenza outbreak are infected.
Officials say the risk to human health is low - there is no link to the Covid-19 pandemic - but infected birds should not be touched.
"It has huge human, animal, and trade implications," the chief vet said.
Lessons learned from the foot-and-mouth outbreak are being used to try to control the outbreak, Dr Christine Middlemiss added.
As of Wednesday there were 38 confirmed infected premises in the UK - 31 in England, three in Wales, two in Scotland, and two in Northern Ireland. The total last year was 26 confirmed cases.
The disease is largely spread by migratory wild birds which return to Britain and pass it on to other birds. Dr Middlemiss said the UK was only a few weeks into the migratory season, which normally goes on until March...
UK chief vet warns avian flu at phenomenal level in UK
By Claire Marshall
BBC Environment & Rural Affairs Correspondent
Published 11 hours ago
The UK's chief veterinary officer has told the BBC there is a "phenomenal level" of avian flu in the UK.
Tens of thousands of farmed birds have already been culled, as the" largest number of premises ever" in an avian influenza outbreak are infected.
Officials say the risk to human health is low - there is no link to the Covid-19 pandemic - but infected birds should not be touched.
"It has huge human, animal, and trade implications," the chief vet said.
Lessons learned from the foot-and-mouth outbreak are being used to try to control the outbreak, Dr Christine Middlemiss added.
As of Wednesday there were 38 confirmed infected premises in the UK - 31 in England, three in Wales, two in Scotland, and two in Northern Ireland. The total last year was 26 confirmed cases.
The disease is largely spread by migratory wild birds which return to Britain and pass it on to other birds. Dr Middlemiss said the UK was only a few weeks into the migratory season, which normally goes on until March...
