H5N1 Bird flu virus found in sheep for the first time in England sparks growing concern
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Mar 24, 2025 1 day, 8 hours, 42 minutes ago
Medical News: In a surprising and worrying development, UK health authorities have confirmed the first-ever case of bird flu in a sheep in England. The case was discovered on a small farm in Yorkshire where poultry and sheep were being raised together. Officials from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the sheep had been showing signs of mastitis, a painful inflammation of the udder, and later tested positive for the H5N1 virus - also known as avian influenza.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/influenza-of-avian-origin-confirmed-in-a-sheep-in-yorkshire
H5N1 Bird flu virus found in sheep for the first time in England sparks growing concern
The infected ewe was immediately culled and thorough testing was carried out on the remaining flock. Fortunately, no further cases were detected. According to government sources, this was an isolated incident, and there is no current evidence that the virus is spreading among sheep or other livestock in the country. This
Medical News report explores what this unusual case means and what experts are doing to contain any potential threat.
First time bird flu jumps to sheep in the UK
Avian influenza has long been a concern for poultry farmers, but until now, it had not been found in sheep in the UK. While this is the first confirmed case in British sheep, animal health authorities point out that similar cross-species infections have been seen in other countries, particularly in the United States. In fact, over 700 dairy herds in the U.S. have tested positive for avian-origin flu strains in recent months, which prompted stricter livestock monitoring measures and mandatory milk testing across several states.
In response to the UK case, Defra has ramped up surveillance on farms where poultry and other animals are kept together. The Chief Veterinary Officer of the UK, Dr Christine Middlemiss, emphasized the importance of strict biosecurity and urged farmers to maintain high hygiene standards and report any unusual signs of illness in their animals immediately. She confirmed that international reporting procedures are being followed and the case has been notified to both the World Organisation for Animal Health and the World Health Organization.
Low public health risk but experts remain alert
Health experts are reassuring the public that the general risk remains extremely low. Dr Meera Chand, who leads on emerging infections at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), stated that although mammals can be infected with bird flu, current strains do not spread easily to humans. UKHSA and other government bodies are closely monitoring the situation and have emergency response protocols ready should a human case arise.
The Food Standards Agency has also addressed public concerns about food safety. They confirmed that poultry products, including meat and eggs, remain safe to eat when properly cooked. The H5N1 virus is not transmitted t
hrough food, and so far, there have been no cases linked to foodborne transmission. Robin May, the Chief Scientific Adviser at the agency, added that authorities are in close coordination and will continue to review emerging information to ensure food safety remains uncompromised.
Questions raised over animal mixing practices
The National Sheep Association expressed concern about the practice of housing different animal species together, especially during times of heightened disease surveillance. They pointed out that poultry in parts of England are currently subject to mandatory indoor housing orders due to the ongoing avian flu threat. Mixing them with sheep or other mammals, even on smallholdings, increases the risk of virus transmission and mutation.
As part of wider containment efforts, 13 regions across England, including Cheshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, and North Yorkshire, are under strict poultry housing mandates. These measures are intended to reduce contact between wild birds and domestic flocks, a key factor in the spread of H5N1.
Conclusions
While the confirmation of bird flu in a sheep is unprecedented in the UK, authorities are treating the event as a contained and isolated incident. With no further cases detected and biosecurity measures firmly in place, the risk to the wider livestock population and to human health remains low. Nonetheless, the incident serves as a strong reminder of the evolving nature of viruses and how they can sometimes make unexpected jumps between species. It also highlights the importance of maintaining rigorous animal health monitoring systems, especially as global outbreaks continue to show new patterns. Farmers are now being urged to be extra vigilant and to avoid co-housing species where possible to minimize risks. Continued collaboration between veterinary services, public health agencies, and food safety regulators is essential to prevent further surprises and ensure early detection of any future cases.
For the latest H5N1 News, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
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