What is bird flu and what are the symptoms? Human case detected in England
What is bird flu and what are the symptoms? Human case detected in England
Share:
A human case of bird flu has been detected in a person in England, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said. The UKHSA said the person contracted the H5N1 infection on a farm in the West Midlands, where they had “close and prolonged contact with a large number of infected birds”.
In a statement, the agency explained that bird-to-human transmission of the disease is “rare” and has previously occurred a small number of times in the UK. The birds were infected with the DI.2 genotype, one of the viruses known to be circulating in birds in the UK this season, according to the health agency. This is different to strains circulating among mammals and birds in the US.
![[Person contracts bird flu on West Midlands farm]](https://static.standard.co.uk/2025/01/27/14/27141043-f18f8390-f4ea-49ae-aca5-2e9fcba73e7b.jpg?crop=8:5,smart&quality=75&auto=webp&width=960)
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.
![[Human case of bird flu detected in England]](https://static.standard.co.uk/2023/12/13/16/beb92f6ccbc4d1a60cd7232f17f6e600Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzAyNTY4OTMz-2.69128330.jpg?crop=8:5,smart&quality=75&auto=webp&width=960)
“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.”. The UKHSA said it had been tracing all individuals who have been in contact with the confirmed case, and that those at highest risk of exposure had been offered antiviral treatment.
![[Bird flu restrictions to cover England and Scotland as number of cases rise]](https://static.standard.co.uk/2025/01/25/19/71431211b1e726bd690b6b18f4dde8d4Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzM3OTE3MTE5-2.62689892.jpg?crop=8:5,smart&quality=75&auto=webp&width=960)
