UKHSA has confirmed a case of influenza A(H5N1) in a person in
the West Midlands region. Bird-to-human transmission of avian
influenza is rare and has previously occurred a small number of
times in the UK.
The person acquired the infection on a farm, where they had close
and prolonged contact with a large number of infected birds. The
risk to the wider public continues to be very low.
The individual is currently well and was admitted to a High
Consequence Infectious Disease (HCID) unit.
The birds were infected with the DI.2 genotype, one of the
viruses known to be circulating in birds in the UK this season.
This is different to strains circulating among mammals and birds
in the US.
Although there has been no demonstrated human-to-human
transmission despite extensive recent surveillance of influenza
A(H5N1), UKHSA has been tracing all individuals who have
been in contact with the confirmed case of avian influenza. Those
at highest risk of exposure have been offered antiviral
treatment. This is done to reduce the chance that any virus they
have been exposed to will be able to cause infection.
The case was detected after the Animal and Plant Health
Agency (APHA) identified an outbreak of avian
influenza(H5N1) in a flock of birds. UKHSA carried out routine
monitoring on people who had been in close contact with the
infected birds.
Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser at UKHSA, said:
The risk of avian flu to the general public remains very low
despite this confirmed case. We have robust systems in place to
detect cases early and take necessary action, as we know that
spillover infections from birds to humans may occur.
Currently there is no evidence of onwards transmission from this
case.
People are reminded not to touch sick or dead birds and it's
important that they follow Defra advice about reporting any
suspected avian influenza cases.
UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said:
While avian influenza is highly contagious in birds, this is a
very rare event and is very specific to the circumstances on this
premises.
We took swift action to limit the spread of the disease at the
site in question, all infected birds are being humanely culled,
and cleansing and disinfection of the premises will be undertaken
all to strict biosecure standards. This is a reminder that
stringent biosecurity is essential when keeping animals.
We are seeing a growing number of avian flu cases in birds on
both commercial farms and in backyard flocks across the country.
Implementing scrupulous biosecurity measures will help protect
the health and welfare of your birds from the threat of avian
influenza and other diseases.
, Minister for Public Health
and Prevention, said:
The safety of the public is paramount, and we are monitoring this
situation closely.
The risk of wider or onward transmission is very low, however the
UK remains prepared and ready to respond to any current and
future health threats.
We recently added the H5 vaccine, which protects against avian
influenza, to our stockpile as part of our preparedness plans.
UKHSA will publish further details about the confirmed human case
in due course.
