VitalSleep Reviews

By NewsDesk  @bactiman63

The UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) reported today on a H5N8 avian influenza strain in rearing turkeys at a premises near Northallerton, Hambleton, North Yorkshire Saturday.

Image/Robert Herriman

All 10,500 birds at the farm will be humanely culled to limit the spread of the disease. A 3km and 10km Temporary Control Zone has been put in place around the infected site to limit the risk of the disease spreading.

Public Health England (PHE) advises that the risk to public health from the virus is very low and the Food Standards Agency advises that avian influenzas pose a very low food safety risk for UK consumers. Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.

Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss, said: Bird keepers should remain alert for any signs of disease, report suspected disease immediately and ensure they are maintaining good biosecurity on their premises.

Dr Gavin Dabrera, Consultant in Acute Respiratory Infections at PHE said:

To date the World Health Organization has never confirmed any cases of H5N8 in humans and the risk to the public is considered very low.

As a precaution the local Health Protection Team will offer routine health advice to those working on the farm. We will work with DEFRA to monitor the situation closely.

A detailed investigation is in progress to determine the most likely source of this outbreak.

There is not anticipated to be any impact on the supplies of turkeys or other birds over Christmas.

Wild birds migrating from mainland Europe during the winter period can spread the disease to poultry and other captive birds.

In addition to the above case in Northallerton, England has seen five recent additional cases:

  • Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N8 has been confirmed in poultry and captive birds at a premises near Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.
  • Highly Pathogenic Avian influenza (HPAI) H5N8 was confirmed in captive birds at a wetland centre (non-poultry premises) near Stroud in Gloucestershire.
  • Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N8 was confirmed on the 10 November in broiler breeder chickens at a premises near Leominster, in Herefordshire.
  • Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N8 was confirmed on the 2 November at a premises near Frodsham, Cheshire.
  • In all the above cases, a 3km Protection and 10km Temporary Zone has been put in place around the infected premises.
  • Low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) H5N2 was confirmed on the 2 November at a premises near Deal, Kent. A 1km low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) Restricted Zone has been put around the premises.


Related:

England reports increased flu vaccine uptake

Norway: H5N8 avian influenza detected in wild goose

Sweden: COVID-19 vaccinations will be January 2021 at the earliest

Sweden report: Teachers do not have a higher risk of being infected with COVID-19

Norway public health officials on face masks