THE UK Chief Veterinary Officer has confirmed a case of avian influenza (bird flu) at a wildbird rescue centre in Worcestershire yesterday.
Wild birds migrating to the UK from mainland Europe during the winter months can carry the disease and this can lead to cases in poultry and other captive birds.
All birds on site will be humanely culled. A 3km and 10km temporary control zone has also been put in place around the infected premises to limit the risk of the disease spreading.
UK Health Security Agency advises that the risk to public health from the virus is very low and the Food Standards Agency has made clear that bird flu poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers.
The premises does not supply poultry, meat or eggs to the commercial food chain.
UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said: “H5N1 avian influenza has been confirmed at a wildbird rescue centre in Worcestershire.
“We have taken swift action to limit the spread of the disease and any birds at risk of infection will now be humanely culled.
“UK Health Security Agency has confirmed that the risk to public health is very low and the Food Standards Agency has said that bird flu poses a very low risk to food safety for UK consumers.”
Dr Gavin Dabrera, Consultant Epidemiologist, UK Health Security Agency, said: “Avian influenza is primarily a disease of birds and the risk to the general public’s health is very low.
“The regional UKHSA Health Protection Team is working closely with Defra to closely monitor the situation and will be providing health advice to persons at the site as a precaution.”
A Food Standards Agency spokesperson said: “On the basis of the current scientific evidence, the Food Standard Agency advises that, avian influenzas pose a very low risk to UK consumers through the food chain.
“Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, remain safe to eat.”
