UK Confirms H5N1 Bird Flu Outbreak in Southwestern England

The United Kingdom has confirmed an outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus at a poultry premises near Exminster in southwestern England. In response, the UK government has established a 3 km protection zone and a 10 km surveillance zone around the affected site to control the spread of the virus. All poultry at the premises will be humanely culled as part of the containment measures. The outbreak is part of a broader global concern, as highly pathogenic H5N1 viruses, particularly clade 2.3.4.4b, have been detected worldwide in wild and commercial birds, including in the United States where multiple states have reported infections since early 2022. While the risk of transmission to humans remains uncertain, there have been a few human cases reported internationally, including in the UK, China, Chile, Ecuador, and Spain, prompting health authorities to monitor exposed individuals closely. These developments underscore ongoing efforts to mitigate the pandemic risks posed by H5N1 avian influenza.