Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the UK, and Europe - Gov.uk
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Animal & Plant Health Agency
Advice Services Team - International Disease Monitoring
Updated Outbreak Assessment #4
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the UK,
and Europe
10 November 2020 Ref: VITT/1200 HPAI in the UK and Europe
Disease Report
Since our last report on 04 November, in the United Kingdom there has been one report
of HPAI H5N8 in wild birds. In the Netherlands there have been seven reports of HPAI
H5N8 in wild birds, two reports of HPAI H5N1, and one outbreak of HPAI H5N8 reported in
domestic poultry. Germany has reported an additional 45 cases of HPAI H5N8 in wild
birds, six reports of HPAI H5 in wild birds, and one outbreak of HPAI H5N8 in domestic
poultry at a backyard premises. All continue to be in the north of the country (see map).
These wild bird cases are all on the waterfowl flyway from breeding grounds in west
Russia, where H5N8 was reported in poultry in August and September. Ireland has
reported one case of HPAI H5N8 in wild birds. All disease reports are summarised in
Table 1.
1Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Animal & Plant Health Agency
Advice Services Team - International Disease Monitoring
Situation Assessment
The first report of HPAI H5N8 in the United Kingdom was on 03 November, in the north-
west of England, in domestic poultry. There were 13,500 birds on the holding. Culling has
been completed, preliminary C&D has been undertaken, in line with Council Directive
2005/94/EC. Clinical signs reported from the premises included: ‘bruising’ of the legs,
abnormal nervous signs, respiratory signs, and discolouration of the head, as well as high
mortality. The first report of HPAI H5N8 in wild birds in the UK was on 09 November at a
site in Gloucestershire, where five wild birds (a greylag goose and four Canada geese)
were found dead on 03 November. As these are considered to be native, sedentary
species, they must have been infected by other species of migratory birds.
HPAI H5N8 in Western Europe
Ireland reported its first case of H5N8 in a wild bird (HPAI has now been confirmed by
sequencing) in a Peregrine falcon on the west coast (Limerick) on 09 November. The bird
had been submitted for laboratory testing on 30 October.
Further reports of HPAI H5N8 cases in wild birds in the Netherlands include two Barnacle
geese (Branta leucopsis), two White-Fronted geese (Anser albifrons), two Greylag geese
(Anser anser), one Curlew (Numenius arquata), one Short-Eared owl (Asio flammeus),
one Eurasian wigeon (Mareca Penelope) and a Teal (Anas crecca). On 06 November,
HPAI H5N8 was reported on a large commercial poultry holding (99,516 birds) in the
centre of the country. A 3 km surveillance zone and a 10 km protection zone have been
established. Within the 3 km zone there are five other poultry premises. All premises have
been inspected with no symptoms of disease observed. These events represent
considerable geographical spread in wild birds and domestic poultry across the
Netherlands (see map).
The main wild bird species detected with H5N8 in Germany are Eurasian wigeon (16
cases) and Barnacle geese (17 cases). However, additional species have been reported
infected with H5N8: these include 2 Black-headed gulls (Chroicocephalus ridibundus), 2
European herring gulls (Larus argentatus) a Greylag goose (Anser anser), a Bean goose
(Anser fabalis), a Great black-backed gull (Larus marinus) and an unidentified Crane
(Gruidae). On 09 November, there was a report of HPAI H5N8 in a backyard premises,
involving three pheasants, 12 mallards and 21 laying hens, in the same part of the country
as reports in wild birds, in the Segeberg region.
The detection of raptors affected in Germany, but not so far in the Netherlands, could
reflect the timing of migration; with infected wildfowl entering Germany sometime before
the Netherlands, and the raptors being infected through eating carcases or hunting live
wildfowl. Most of the wild bird events in Germany continue to be the north (South Jutland
and Rugen) with the exception of the unidentified crane which was found further east near
Albertinenhof in Brandenburg.
2Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Animal & Plant Health Agency
Advice Services Team - International Disease Monitoring
Table 1: Current outbreaks of HPAI H5N8 in domestic poultry and captive birds, and cases
in wild birds since September, as of 7am on 10/11/2020, according to official reporting
sources. Note that this is a rapidly changing picture, with new disease reports being made
on a daily basis.
Country HPAI H5N8 HPAI H5N8 Total First date Wild bird species affected
in poultry in wild birds reported
Germany 2 89 (+9 HPAI 101 30/10/2020 Eurasian wigeon (Mareca penelope),
H5 +1 Barnacle goose (Anser leucopsis),
Untyped) White-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla),
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus),
Eurasian buzzard (Buteo buteo), Curlew
(Numenius arquata), Bean goose (Anser
fabalis), European herring gulls, Black-
headed gull (Chroicocephalus
ridibundus), Great black-backed gull
(Larus marinus), Crane (Gruidae)
Netherlands 2 21 (+4 HPAI 27 20/10/2020 Mute swans (Cygnus olor), Barnacle
H5N1) goose (Anser leucopsis), Bean goose
(Anser fabalis), Eurasian wigeon
(Mareca penelope), Greylag goose
(Anser anser), Cormorant
(Phalacrocorax carbo), Barnacle goose
(Branta leucopsis), Short-Eared owl
(Asio flammeus), Teal (Anas crecca)
United 1 1 2 02/11/2020 Greylag goose (Anser anser), and
Kingdom Canada goose (Branta canadensis).
Ireland 1 1 07/11/2020 Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus).
Denmark (+1 HPAI 1 5/11/2020 Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus).
H5N5)
Total 5 127 132 20/10/2020
Other HPAI H5 in Western Europe
In the Netherlands a dead curlew (Numenius arquat) was found on the 31 October and on
02 November a teal (Anas crecca) also found dead. Both were reported as being in
wetland areas, and both confirmed with HPAI H5N1. In Denmark, HPAI H5N5 was
reported on 06 November, in a peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) that was found near
Sakskøbing in the municipality of Guldborgsund. Implications for the UK
3Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Animal & Plant Health Agency
Advice Services Team - International Disease Monitoring
Although the detection of HPAI H5N8 virus in poultry and wild birds represents a large
geographic jump from western Europe; the presence of H5N8 in the UK was not
unexpected given the annual autumn migration, and the rapidly developing
epidemiological situation (first in southern Russia during the early autumn, and more
recently in Continental Europe). Taken together with the prior finding of HPAI H5N8 in UK
domestic poultry last week, and the geographical spread of these reports in wild birds and
domestic poultry (in NW and SW England), this suggests that circulating HPAI H5N8 virus
may be widespread in wild birds.
In GB, the sensitivity of surveillance has been increased recently, to ensure collection and
analyses of targeted species of wild birds (ducks, geese, swans, gulls and birds of prey)
known to carry risk of infection with H5 HPAI viruses. Single dead birds of target species,
where possible, will be collected and tested. Several systems are in place, including
working through NGOs (non-governmental organisations), and members of the public
reporting wild bird mortality.
The migration season for wild waterfowl to overwinter in the UK has begun, although
numbers may not peak until December/January, depending on the species and the
weather conditions in Continental Europe. Generally the Netherlands has a far higher
number of wintering water birds than the UK, but cold weather on the Continent can force
birds to move across the North Sea to the British Isles.
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/1654 has been published on 6 November
2020, concerning certain interim protective measures in relation to highly pathogenic avian
influenza of subtype H5N8 in the United Kingdom. Interim Protection and surveillance
zones have been established in this Decision, to restrict trade from these zones for export
to EU member states. Relevant articles in Directive 2009/158/EC and Council directive
2005/94/EC would apply. Exports from Approved Poultry Compartments recognised by EU
member states can continue, if they remain free from disease.
Public Health England has confirmed that the risk to public health is very low, and the
Food Standards Agency has said that avian influenza does not pose a food safety risk for
UK consumers.
Conclusion
As a consequence of the H5N8 HPAI poultry outbreak in the UK, and in Germany and the
Netherlands; as well as the increasing HPAI H5N8 events in wild birds in the UK, Ireland
and the Netherlands and Germany this week, and the known migration routes on to the UK
from these countries; the risk of HPAI incursion in wild birds in the UK is HIGH. The overall
risk of infection of poultry in the UK is MEDIUM; although it should be noted that the risk of
introduction to individual premises depends upon the level of biosecurity implemented on
farm to prevent direct or indirect contact with wild birds. We recommend biosecurity
measures should be maintained or strengthened, as required.
4Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Animal & Plant Health Agency
Advice Services Team - International Disease Monitoring
We strongly recommend that all poultry keepers (including backyard keepers) review their
biosecurity measures and business continuity plans, as the risk has now increased.
Keepers should familiarise themselves with government guidance on good biosecurity and
how to report suspicion of disease appropriately.
The OIE/FAO International Reference Laboratory/UK National Reference Laboratory at
Weybridge has the necessary ongoing proven diagnostic capability for these strains of
virus, whether low or high pathogenicity AI, and continually monitors changes in the virus.
We will continue to report on any updates on the situation in Europe and, in particular, any
changes in disease distribution or wild bird movements which may increase the risk to the
UK.
Further information is available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu
including updated biosecurity advice for poultry keepers for England;
https://gov.wales/avian-influenza for Wales and; http://gov.scot/avianinfluenza for
Scotland.
We ask that the public use the Defra helpline (Tel: 03459 33 55 77) to report findings of
any dead wild birds. In particular, any wild ducks, wild geese, swans, gulls or birds of prey.
Authors
Dr Francesca Gauntlett
Anthony Pacey
Charlotte Coxon
Dr Clare Wild
References
All outbreaks and cases were taken from the Animal Disease Notification System (ADNS).
Details of outbreaks were also taken from OIE.
OIE (2020) https://www.oie.int/wahis_2/public/wahid.php/Diseaseinformation/WI
© Crown copyright 2020
You may re-use this information (excluding logos) free of charge in any format or medium,
under the terms of the Open Government Licence v.2. To view this licence visit
5Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Animal & Plant Health Agency
Advice Services Team - International Disease Monitoring
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/2/ or email
PSI@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/animal-
diseases-international-monitoring
Any enquiries regarding this publication should be sent to us at iadm@defra.gov.uk
6You can also read
