Bird flu ‘covid of poultry industry’ MPs hear, as farmers told to stay vigilant
Bird flu ‘covid of poultry industry’ MPs hear, as farmers told to stay vigilant
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Farmers and bird keepers have been told to remain vigilant following an outbreak of bird flu, as MPs heard the virus is the “covid of the poultry industry”. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed that a person in the West Midlands contracted avian influenza earlier this week, following “close and prolonged contact with a large number of infected birds”.
The case is one of only seven seen in the UK since 2021 and the risk to the wider public is “very low”, the agency has said. In the Commons, farming minister Daniel Zeichner said it was rare for the disease to infect humans and the person infected with the virus was making a complete recovery.
He said: “Avian influenza is once again posing a threat to both kept and wild birds across the country, and supporting bird keepers, the public and conservation bodies to manage and prepare for avian influenza continues to be one of our main priorities.”.
“All bird keepers are urged to remain vigilant, to take action to protect their birds from avian influenza. Scrupulous biosecurity by all bird keepers at all times is essential to protect the health and welfare of flocks,” he added. In an urgent question on avian influenza, shadow farming minister Victoria Atkins raised concerns about the mental and economic impacts the flu can have on farmers, with more than a million birds having been culled at one of the country’s largest egg farms.
