Bird flu detected in British sheep for first time
Bird flu has been detected in British sheep for the first time.
The disease was found in a single animal on a farm in Yorkshire, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) said.
The infected sheep was culled and sent for extensive testing.
The National Sheep Association said the finding was 'not welcome news at this time of year', sparking fears for the upcoming lambing season ahead of Easter.
The case was detected during routine surveillance of farm livestock, in an area where highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 had been found in captive birds.
Although it was the first time bird flu had been found in a sheep in England, it has been detected in other countries.
Last month, bird flu was detected in cattle in the United States for the first time – and in January a farm worker in England tested positive for the virus after catching it from an infected flock.
Helen Roberts, NSA Cymru development officer, said: 'Although this news is not welcome at this time of year, it does give us the opportunity to remind ourselves of the importance of good biosecurity especially with lambing for many just around the corner and to be vigilant with our flock.
'We want to do our utmost to retain our high health and welfare standards of the national flock.'
NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker said there was 'not a threat to food safety of consumers' but warned against farmers mixing species, particularly during a period of mandatory housing measures for poultry due to bird flu outbreaks.
The case has been reported to both the World Organisation for Animal Health and the World Health Organisation.
However, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said the bird flu poses a 'very low food safety risk' to UK consumers.
The Food Standards Agency advises that 'properly cooked' poultry and poultry products, including eggs, remain 'safe to eat' because the virus is not transmitted through food.
UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said: 'We have confirmed the detection of influenza of avian origin (H5N1) in a single sheep on a farm in Yorkshire.
'Strict biosecurity measures have been implemented to prevent the further spread of disease.
'While the risk to livestock remains low, I urge all animal owners to ensure scrupulous cleanliness is in place and to report any signs of infection to the Animal Plant Health Agency immediately.'
The UK recently added five million doses of bird flu vaccines for people to its vaccination stockpile to be prepared in the event of a bird flu strain that is more infectious in humans.
Dr Meera Chand, Emerging Infection Lead at UKHSA, said: 'Globally, we continue to see that mammals can be infected with avian influenza.
'However, current evidence suggests that the avian influenza viruses we're seeing circulating around the world do not spread easily to people – and the risk of avian flu to the general public remains very low.
'UKHSA will continue to monitor the situation closely alongside Defra, DHSC, Animal and Plant Health Agency and Food Standards Agency.
'UKHSA has established preparations in place for detections of human cases of avian flu and will respond rapidly with NHS and other partners if needed.'
Robin May, chief scientific adviser at the FSA said: 'We are working very closely with Defra, UKHSA and Food Standards Scotland following the discovery of avian influenza virus in a sheep in the UK.
'Our advice remains that bird flu poses a very low food safety risk to UK consumers since the H5N1 virus is not normally transmitted through food.
'We continue to monitor the situation closely and will assess any emerging information to continue to ensure UK food is safe.'
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