The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed a human case of bird flu in England, marking the first case in 2023. The individual, located in the West Midlands, contracted the virus after prolonged contact with infected birds on a farm. While the risk to the general public remains low, the infected individual has been hospitalized in a specialized infectious disease unit. The UKHSA emphasizes that the strain differs from the H5 strain circulating in the US and that there is no evidence of onward transmission. The agency advises the public against touching sick or dead birds and to follow Defra's guidelines on reporting suspected avian influenza cases.
A human case of bird flu has been confirmed in England after a large number of outbreaks in birds across the country.
The case is only one of seven seen in the UK since 2021 and the infected individual has been admitted to a High Consequence Infectious Disease unit. The UKSHA warns the risk to the wider public is “low” and the virus strain is said to be different to the H5 strain circulating among mammals and birds in the US.
“We have robust systems in place to detect cases early and take necessary action, as we know that spillover infections from birds to humans may occur. Currently there is no evidence of onwards transmission from this case. People are reminded not to touch sick or dead birds and it’s important that they follow Defra advice about reporting any suspected avian influenza cases.”
The NHS says avian flu is spread by close contact with an infected bird, which could be dead or alive. This includes:
BIRD FLU UKHSA HUMAN CASE AVIAN INFLUENZA BIOSECURITY
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