Bird flu risk in UK wild birds increased to medium

HPAI risk in UK wild birds increased to medium
HPAI risk in UK wild birds increased to medium

The government has increased the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) risk from low to medium for wild birds in UK, but poultry flocks remain low.

More outbreaks of H5N8 HPAI have been reported in Italy in commercial and backyard poultry as well as findings in wild birds.

Bulgaria has also reported two outbreaks in poultry of H5N8 HPAI.

Germany has reported the finding of a wild duck near the Netherlands border testing positive for H5N8 HPAI.

This finding is of concern as it falls within the migration route for the UK.

As a result, the UK government has raised the risk level for incursion of H5N8 HPAI in a wild bird to medium

However, the risk for an introduction into poultry farms remains at low.

The government has reminded poultry keepers about biosecurity requirements, but also for seasonal poultry producers to be particularly aware and prevent direct or indirect contact with wild birds.