H5N5 Bird Flu Confirmed in Scottish Backyard Flock, Prompting Control Zones
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N5 has been confirmed in a small backyard flock of chickens in Ness, Isle of Lewis, Scotland. This marks the first confirmed H5N5 HPAI outbreak in the UK since October 1. Following the confirmation, a 3km Protection Zone and a 10km Surveillance Zone were immediately declared around the affected premises on October 2. The British Egg Industry Council (BEIC) has stated that these disease control zones will remain in effect until all control and surveillance activities are completed and no further suspect cases are under investigation. The risk of H5 HPAI in wild birds in Great Britain is currently assessed as medium, while the risk to poultry is considered low, provided that stringent biosecurity measures are consistently applied. Poultry keepers are being urged to maintain high standards of biosecurity, including strict separation between different animal types on mixed farms and accurate recording of feed and water consumption to detect potential health issues ear...
