**78 UK Bird Species Test Positive for Avian Flu** * **August 22, 2023** Avian flu has spread rapidly among UK bird populations, with 78 species testing positive for the virus. This includes most of the country's breeding seabirds. The virus has been found in a wide variety of bird species, including ducks, geese, swans, gulls, and terns. It is a highly contagious disease, and can quickly spread through flocks. The outbreak has raised concerns about the potential impact on bird populations. Seabirds are particularly vulnerable, as they congregate in large numbers and often have close contact with other birds. The government is monitoring the situation closely, and is working to develop plans to mitigate the impact of the virus. This includes measures to protect vulnerable bird populations and to prevent the disease from spreading to humans. British health officials are also preparing plans to deploy lateral flow tests if signs emerge that the virus is spreading to humans. Lateral flow tests are rapid, inexpensive tests that can detect the virus in respiratory samples. The government is urging the public to report any dead or sick birds to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). This will help Defra to track the spread of the virus and to take appropriate action.
**78 UK Bird Species Test Positive for Avian Flu** * **August 22, 2023** Avian flu has spread rapidly among UK bird populations, with 78 species testing positive for the virus. This includes most of the country's breeding seabirds. The virus has been found in a wide variety of bird species, including ducks, geese, swans, gulls, and terns. It is a highly contagious disease, and can quickly spread through flocks. The outbreak has raised concerns about the potential impact on bird populations. Seabirds are particularly vulnerable, as they congregate in large numbers and often have close contact with other birds. The government is monitoring the situation closely, and is working to develop plans to mitigate the impact of the virus. This includes measures to protect vulnerable bird populations and to prevent the disease from spreading to humans. British health officials are also preparing plans to deploy lateral flow tests if signs emerge that the virus is spreading to humans. Lateral flow tests are rapid, inexpensive tests that can detect the virus in respiratory samples. The government is urging the public to report any dead or sick birds to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). This will help Defra to track the spread of the virus and to take appropriate action.
The Guardian
**Avian Flu Cases Surge in the UK** The UK is facing a new outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu. **Latest Situation** * As of November 29, 2023, HPAI H5N1 has been detected in 28 found-dead wild birds in Scotland. * Wild bird cases since November 1, 2023 have been primarily found along coastal areas. * Bird flu restrictions have been eased across most of the UK, but remain in place in Scotland. **Estimated Deaths** Data released May 5, 2023, revealed that bird flu has killed more than twice the number of wild birds previously estimated in the UK. The updated number of deaths now exceeds 100,000. **Prevention Measures** To prevent the spread of bird flu, the following measures are being implemented: * Public health warnings urging people to avoid contact with wild birds. * Veterinary surveillance and testing of poultry flocks. * Movement restrictions on poultry and other captive birds in high-risk areas. * Biosecurity measures at farms and bird gatherings. **Advice to Poultry Owners** Poultry owners are advised to: * Maintain high levels of biosecurity on their premises. * Check flocks regularly for signs of illness. * Report any suspected cases to the authorities immediately. **Further Information** For more details on the latest HPAI situation in the UK, please refer to the following resources: * Defra (UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs): https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/avian-influenza-bird-flu * UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA): https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency
**Bird Flu Outbreak Reaches Record High in England** The United Kingdom has experienced its largest-ever outbreak of bird flu, with over 330 cases confirmed since late October 2021. The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) strain has primarily affected wild birds, causing widespread deaths and raising concerns for poultry keepers and conservationists. Bird flu is a highly contagious infectious disease that affects birds, particularly chickens, turkeys, and ducks. The virus can be spread through direct contact with infected birds, their saliva, feces, or contaminated surfaces. In rare cases, it can also infect humans who have close contact with infected birds. The most serious strain of bird flu, HPAI, can cause severe respiratory symptoms and death in infected birds. Symptoms may include coughing, sneezing, difficulty breathing, and loss of appetite. Infected birds often show signs of neurological damage, such as tremors, circling, and head twisting. The outbreak has had a devastating impact on the UK's bird population, with numerous cases confirmed in wild birds such as swans, ducks, and geese. The government has implemented strict measures to contain the outbreak, including movement restrictions on poultry and mandatory testing for suspected cases. Bird keepers are urged to follow strict biosecurity measures to protect their flocks, including keeping poultry indoors, disinfecting equipment and vehicles, and isolating new birds. Members of the public are also advised to avoid touching dead wild birds and to report any suspected cases to authorities. The outbreak highlights the importance of early detection and response to avian influenza, as it can have serious consequences for both animal and human health. Public health authorities continue to monitor the situation and provide guidance to mitigate the risk of infection.
Daera
**Urgent Measures in Galápagos to Combat Avian Flu Threat** **Galápagos Islands, Ecuador** - National park authorities on the Galápagos Islands have implemented heightened biosecurity measures to protect the archipelago's unique fauna from the deadly H5N1 strain of avian flu. The development has alarmed conservation biologists, as this strain has caused widespread devastation among birds and marine mammals on five continents. In mid-September 2023, the first case of H5N1 Avian Influenza was detected in the Galápagos, causing concern about its potential impact on the archipelago's biodiversity. The virus, which has been declared a global pandemic in animals (known as a panzootic), has been particularly destructive outside the Galápagos. Experts are unsure why the archipelago has so far remained unaffected, but biosecurity agents are working diligently to prevent its spread. "The Galápagos Islands are home to some of the most unique and fragile species on Earth," said a park spokesperson. "Protecting them from this highly contagious virus is crucial for the preservation of their biodiversity." The biosecurity measures include increased inspections of incoming vessels and aircraft, disinfection of equipment, and quarantine protocols for wildlife. Authorities are also closely monitoring bird populations and collecting samples for testing. "We are taking every possible step to keep the H5N1 virus out of the Galápagos and protect the health of our wildlife," added the spokesperson. Conservationists around the world are urging the international community to support the Galápagos Islands in its efforts to combat avian flu and safeguard its irreplaceable biodiversity.
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