High path avian flu case confirmed in Yorkshire

A new case of avian influenza has been identified in a commercial poultry unit near Driffield, Yorkshire.

Defra said in a statement: “Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry on 14 February 2024 at a premises near Hutton Cranswick, East Yorkshire.

“A 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone have been declared around the premises. All poultry on the premises will be humanely culled.”

This is the sixth case of highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu to be confirmed in the UK since October, but the first since November. This latest case was found in commercial layers.

Despite this new case, Defra said the risk of poultry exposure to HPAI H5NI in Great Britain is low.