Human case of avian flu detected in England

UKHSA has confirmed a case of influenza A(H5N1) in a person in the West Midlands region. Bird-to-human transmission of avian influenza is rare and has previously occurred a small number of times in the UK.

The person acquired the infection on a farm, where they had close and prolonged contact with a large number of infected birds. The risk to the wider public continues to be very low.

The birds were infected with the DI.2 genotype, one of the viruses known to be circulating in birds in the UK this season. This is different to strains circulating among mammals and birds in the US.

Although there has been no demonstrated human-to-human transmission despite extensive recent surveillance of influenza A(H5N1), UKHSA has been tracing all individuals who have been in contact with the confirmed case of avian influenza and those at highest risk of exposure have been offered antiviral treatment. This is done to reduce the chance that any virus they have been exposed to will be able to cause infection. The individual is currently well and was admitted to a High Consequence Infectious Disease (HCID) unit.

The case was detected after the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) identified an outbreak of avian influenza(H5N1) in a flock of birds, and UKHSA carried out routine monitoring on people who had been in close contact with the infected birds.

Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser at UKHSA, said:

“The risk of avian flu to the general public remains very low despite this confirmed case. 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.”

UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said:

“While avian influenza is highly contagious in birds, this is a very rare event and is very specific to the circumstances on this premises.

“We took swift action to limit the spread of the disease at the site in question, all infected birds are being humanely culled, and cleansing and disinfection of the premises will be undertaken all to strict biosecure standards. This is a reminder that stringent biosecurity is essential when keeping animals.

“We are seeing a growing number of avian flu cases in birds on both commercial farms and in backyard flocks across the country. Implementing scrupulous biosecurity measures will help protect the health and welfare of your birds from the threat of avian influenza and other diseases.”

Andrew Gwynne, Minister for Public Health and Prevention, said:

“The safety of the public is paramount, and we are monitoring this situation closely.

“The risk of wider or onward transmission is very low, however the UK remains prepared and ready to respond to any current and future health threats.

“We recently added the H5 vaccine, which protects against avian influenza, to our stockpile as part of our preparedness plans.”

UKHSA will publish further details about the confirmed human case in due course.

Notes to Editors:

• Avian influenza, also known as bird flu, is a type of influenza that spreads primarily among birds. The UK has recently seen multiple avian influenza outbreaks in birds across the country. The APHA and the UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer have issued alerts to bird owners.
• Avian influenza can pass from birds to people, but this is rare. It usually requires close contact with an infected bird, so the risk to humans is generally considered very low. Human-to-human transmission of avian influenza has only been documented very rarely and never in Europe or the UK.
• UKHSA swabs people who have been in close contact with infected birds as part of an enhanced surveillance programme. This helps us to take swift action to identify anyone infected and reduce the risk of onward transmission.
• Since 2021, there have been 7 human influenza A(H5N1) detections in the UK in total. This is the second detection in which an individual has exhibited symptoms, with the first case identified in 2022, although there have been cases elsewhere globally in recent months. In the other 5 detections, all individuals were asymptomatic. All detections have been in individuals with direct exposure to infected birds, and therefore asymptomatic detection may represent contamination of the respiratory tract or infection. More information is available in our technical briefings.
• The UK Chief Veterinary Officer has ordered a new Avian Influenza Prevention Zone AIPZ to cover the whole of England from noon on Saturday 25 January following the escalating number of cases of avian influenza and continued heightened risk levels in wild birds. This order is not related to the detection of this case.
• UKHSA runs a zoonotic influenza surveillance programme in humans which aims to detect possible animal-to-human infections in people who are exposed to infected birds. Individuals taking part in the programme are sampled through virological nose and throat swabs.