UK government has confirmed first case of bird flu in a sheep

The UK government today (Monday, March 24) confirmed that avian influenza (bird flu) has been detected in a single sheep in England.

The UK’s first case of bird flu in a sheep was identified following routine surveillance of livestock on a premises in Yorkshire where avian influenza had been confirmed in other captive birds.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) outlined today that the infected sheep, has been “humanely culled” prior to being subject to extensive testing at the avian influenza national reference laboratory based at the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) Weybridge laboratory.

No further outbreaks have been detected in the remaining flock or in any other livestock on the farm, according to DEFRA.

“While this is the first time this virus has been reported in a sheep, it is not the first time influenza of avian origin has been detected in livestock in other countries.

There is no evidence to suggest an increased risk to the nation’s livestock population,” the DEFRA statement detailed.

Bird flu

DEFRA introduced livestock surveillance on bird flu infected premises following the outbreak of the disease among dairy cows in the United States in March 2024.

In response to recent outbreaks, the UK chief veterinary officer has urged all livestock keepers to remain vigilant for clinical signs of bird flu and to uphold good biosecurity measures to mitigate the further spread of infection.

Christine Middlemiss, UK chief veterinary officer, said today:

“We have confirmed the detection of influenza of avian origin (H5N1) in a single sheep on a farm in Yorkshire. Strict biosecurity measures have been implemented to prevent the further spread of disease.

“While the risk to livestock remains low, I urge all animal owners to ensure scrupulous cleanliness is in place and to report any signs of infection to the Animal Plant Health Agency immediately.”

In line with the UK’s international reporting requirements, DEFRA has reported this singular case of bird flu in a sheep to both the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and the World Health Organization.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has stated that bird flu is “primarily a disease of birds” and that the risk of human transmission is “very low”, but advised people to abstain from touching any dead or sick wild birds.

Emerging infection lead at the UKHSA, Dr Meera Chand, also added: “Globally, we continue to see that mammals can be infected with avian influenza H5N1.

“However, current evidence suggests that the avian influenza viruses we’re seeing circulating around the world do not spread easily to people and the risk of avian flu to the general public remains very low.

“UKHSA will continue to monitor the situation closely alongside DEFRA, DHSC (the Department of Health and Social Care), APHA and Food Standards Agency.

“UKHSA has established preparations in place for detections of human cases of avian flu and will respond rapidly with NHS and other partners if needed.”

According to the Food Standards Agency, bird flu does not pose a food safety concern to UK consumers, since the virus does not “normally” transfer through food and has advised that properly cooked poultry produce, including eggs, remain safe to eat.