Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the UK, and Europe - Gov.uk
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Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Animal & Plant Health Agency
Advice Services Team - International Disease Monitoring
Updated Outbreak Assessment #13
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the UK,
and Europe
26 January 2021 Ref: VITT/1200 HPAI in the UK and Europe
Disease Report
Since our last report (19 January), in the United Kingdom; there have been no new
outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N8 in poultry in GB and Northern
Ireland. There have been four new cases of HPAI H5N8 in wild birds (one in England and
three in Scotland). According to OIE, elsewhere in Europe since 19 January, HPAI H5N8
has been reported in poultry in France (102), Germany (3), Poland (2) and Ukraine (1).
HPAI H5N8 in wild birds has been reported in the Czech Republic (1), Denmark (15),
Finland (1), France (1), Germany (3), Ireland (3), Italy (1), Norway (3), Poland (1), Spain
(1) and Sweden (2). HPAI H5Nx (N untyped), has been reported in wild birds in Belgium
(1) and in Romania (2). HPAI H5N3 has been reported in wild birds in Germany (2) and
Ireland (1). HPAI H5N5 has been reported in poultry in Sweden (1), and in wild birds in
Denmark (1) and Germany (1).
1Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Animal & Plant Health Agency
Advice Services Team - International Disease Monitoring
Situation Assessment
Table 1: Summary of confirmed outbreaks of HPAI H5N8 in poultry and captive birds
in the UK to 26 January 2021
Date HPAI
Location,
H5N8 Description Status
County
confirmed
HPAI H5N8 in Poultry
3 near Frodsham, Broiler breeder All surveillance completed, zones
November Cheshire rearer chickens lifted, premises remain under
restriction as per OIE
recommendations
10 near Leominster, Broiler breeder All surveillance completed, zones
November Herefordshire chickens lifted, premises remain under
restriction as per OIE
recommendations
23 near Melton Poultry and captive All surveillance completed, zones
November Mowbray, birds lifted, premises remain under
Leicestershire restriction as per OIE
recommendations
29 near Rearing turkeys All surveillance completed,
November Northallerton, zones lifted, premises remain
Hambleton, North under restriction as per OIE
Yorkshire recommendations
01 near Rearing turkeys All surveillance completed,
December Northallerton, zones lifted, premises remain
Hambleton, North under restriction as per OIE
Yorkshire recommendations
04 near Rearing turkeys All surveillance completed, zones
December Attleborough, lifted, premises remain under
Breckland, restriction as per OIE
Norfolk recommendations
05 near King’s Lynn, Rearing turkeys All surveillance completed, zones
December Norfolk lifted, premises remain under
restriction as per OIE
recommendations
2Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Animal & Plant Health Agency
Advice Services Team - International Disease Monitoring
15 near Willington, Captive birds and All surveillance completed, zones
December Derbyshire poultry lifted, premises remain under
restriction as per OIE
recommendations
19 Island of Sanday, Small commercial All surveillance completed, zones
December Orkney Islands free range laying lifted, premises remain under
flock restriction as per OIE
recommendations
19 Near Gillingham, Backyard poultry All surveillance completed, zones
December North Dorset lifted, premises remain under
restriction as per OIE
recommendations
20 Near Commercial duck All surveillance completed, zones
December Attleborough, premises lifted, premises remain under
Breckland, restriction as per OIE
Norfolk recommendations
28 Near Great Backyard poultry Protection Zone lifted and
December Ellingham, replaced with Surveillance Zone
Norfolk which is still in place, surveillance
ongoing
28 Near Ickburgh, Commercial duck Zones still in place, surveillance
December Norfolk rearing premises ongoing
29 Near Aylesbeare, Backyard poultry Protection Zone lifted and
December Devon replaced with Surveillance Zone
which is still in place, surveillance
ongoing
06 Ballymena, Commercial layer Zones still in place, surveillance
January County Antrim rearer premises ongoing
12 Lisburn, County Commercial layer Zones still in place, surveillance
January Antrim ongoing
HPAI H5N8 in Captive Birds
20 near Stroud, Captive birds All surveillance and sampling on
November Gloucestershire IP completed, zones lifted. All
birds on the premises have now
3Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Animal & Plant Health Agency
Advice Services Team - International Disease Monitoring
tested negative twice, 21 days
apart.
13 near Droitwich Captive birds No zones implemented
December Spa,
Worcestershire
Since our last report on 19 January, there have been no new outbreaks in domestic poultry
reported in GB. To 26 January 2020, there have been thirteen outbreaks of HPAI H5N8 in
poultry confirmed on premises in England, and one outbreak confirmed on a premises in
Scotland. There have also been two reports of HPAI H5N8 in captive birds in England
(Table 1), and one report of H5N1 in backyard chickens, in England (Table 2).
Since our last report on 19 January, in Northern Ireland, there have been no new
outbreaks of HPAI H5N8 confirmed in domestic poultry; and no further reports of HPAI
H5N8 in wild birds.
The total number of HPAI outbreaks in poultry and/or captive birds in the UK to 18 January
is 19.
Table 2: Summary of confirmed outbreaks of HPAI H5N1 in poultry and captive birds
in the UK to 26 January 2021.
Date HPAI Location, County Description
H5N1
confirmed
18 December Near Hawes, Richmondshire, Backyard chickens
North Yorkshire
The above map shows the concentration of wild bird cases in north-western Europe, with
relatively few in southern or central Europe. To 26 January, a total of 292 HPAI cases
have been reported in wild birds in GB (see Table 3 below), with most in England, and only
a few in Scotland and Wales.
For further details, please see the report (updated weekly) on findings of HPAI in wild birds
in GB at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/avian-influenza-in-wild-birds
4Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Animal & Plant Health Agency
Advice Services Team - International Disease Monitoring
Table 3: Wild bird cases in England, Wales, and Scotland that have tested positive
for HPAI H5N1, H5N5, H5N8 and H5Nx to 26 January 2021. Pathogenicity testing has
not been completed for all samples as yet.
Grand
Country / species H5N1 H5N5 H5N8 H5Nx Total
England 7 1 254 7 269
Black Swan 11 11
Brent Goose 6 6
Buzzard 2 1 3
Canada Goose 1 24 25
Great White Egret 1 1
Grey Heron 1 1
Greylag goose 8 2 10
Herring Gull 2 2
Kestrel 1 1
Lesser Black Backed Gull 1 1
Lesser Black headed Gull 1 1
Mixed Avian 1 1
Mute Swan 5 1 153 1 160
Peregrine Falcon 1 1
Pink footed goose 2 2
Shelduck 1 1
Sparrow Hawk 1 1
Unspecified 1 1
Unspecified Goose 1 1
Unspecified Swan 11 11
Whooper Swan 21 2 23
Wigeon 1 1
Common Buzzard 1 2 3
Red Kite 1 1
Wales 5 1 6
Little Grebe 1 1
Mute Swan 5 5
Scotland 15 2 17
Greylag goose 1 1
Mute Swan 5 5
Unspecified Swan 4 4
Whooper Swan 4 4
Knot 1 1
Red Knot 1 1 2
Grand Total 7 6 270 9 292
5Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Animal & Plant Health Agency
Advice Services Team - International Disease Monitoring
HPAI in Europe since 19 January 2021
Table 4: Current outbreaks of HPAI H5 in domestic poultry and cases in wild birds
(since 19 January), in Europe, excluding the UK, according to OIE reporting. Please
note that this is a rapidly changing picture, with new disease reports being made to the
World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) on a regular basis.
H5 H5N3 H5N5 H5N8
Country Total
Wild/Captive Wild/Captive Wild/Captive Wild/Captive
Poultry Poultry
Birds Birds Birds Birds
Belgium 1 1
Czech
1 1
Republic
Denmark 1 15 16
Finland 1 1
France 102 1 103
Germany 2 5 3 3 13
Ireland 1 3 4
Italy 1 1
Norway 3 3
Poland 2 1 3
Romania 2 2
Spain 1 1
Sweden 1 2 3
Ukraine 1 1
Total 3 3 1 6 108 32 153
Since 19 January, Belgium has reported one case of HPAI H5 in wild birds: a European
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) in East Flanders.
The Czech Republic has reported one case of HPAI H5N8 in wild birds: a Mute Swan
(Cygnus olor) in the region of South Bohemia.
Denmark has reported one case of HPAI H5N5 in wild birds, and 15 cases of HPAI H5N8
in wild birds. The case of HPAI H5N5 was on the island of Rømø (a Barnacle Goose
(Branta leucopsis)). The majority of the HPAI H5N8 cases were in the regions of Mid and
North Jutland. The species included: Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo), Greylag Goose
(Anser anser), Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)
and Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus).
Finland has reported one case of HPAI H5N8: a released Common Pheasant (Phasianus
colchicus) in its Southern Finland province.
6Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Animal & Plant Health Agency
Advice Services Team - International Disease Monitoring
France has reported 102 new outbreaks of HPAI H5N8 in poultry. As with our previous
report, the majority (77) were in the department of Landes in the south-west of France, and
of these the majority (65) were among foie gras producing duck farms. Other outbreaks in
duck farms were reported in the department of Gers (11) and the department of Pyrénées-
Atlantiques (12), also in the south-west of France. Single outbreaks were also reported
from the department of Hautes-Pyrénées (also duck) and the department of Haute-
Garonne (multi-species). One case of HPAI H5N8 in wild birds (Mute Swan (Cygnus olor))
was reported from ponds in the department of Loire.
Germany has reported two new outbreaks of HPAI H5N8 in poultry. Both were in Lower
Saxony (in a turkey and a duck farm). One case of HPAI H5N8 (in the state of Bremen),
although reported to the OIE as HPAI in poultry, lists its species as Anserinae
(unspeciated). Three cases of HPAI H5N8 in wild birds were reported from the states of
Bayern (an unspeciated swan), North Rhine-Westphalia (unspeciated Accipitridae) and
Schleswig-Holstein (also an unspeciated Accipitridae). Two cases of HPAI H5N3 in wild
birds were reported from Schleswig-Holstein (both unspeciated Charadriidae). Five cases
of HPAI H5N5 in wild birds were also reported: four from Schleswig-Holstein (unspeciated
Accipitridae and Anserinae), and one from Thuringen (an unspeciated Swan).
Ireland has reported three cases of HPAI H5N8 in wild birds. These were in County Cork
and County Louth (Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)); and in Country Wicklow, a Mute
Swan (Cygnus olor). One case of HPAI H5N3 in wild birds was also reported in County
Louth (unspeciated Charadriidae).
Italy has reported one case of HPAI H5N8 in wild birds. This was in the northern region of
Veneto; a Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo). The bird was collected by wildlife rescue as it
was showing neurological symptoms (lack of wing coordination).
Norway has reported three cases of HPAI H5N8 in wild birds. All were in the county of
Hordaland in south-east Norway. The species were Mute Swans (Cygnus olor) and a Mew
Gull (Larus canus).
Poland has reported two outbreaks of HPAI H5N8 in poultry. Both were in the province of
Kujawsko-Pomorskie (turkeys and laying hens). One case of HPAI H5N8 was also
reported. This was in the province of Greater Poland Voivodeship (three Mute Swans
(Cygnus olor)).
Romania has reported two cases of HPAI H5 in wild birds. These were reported from the
county of Constanta (near to the main city of the same name on the Black Sea). The
species were Whooper Swans (Cygnus cygnus).
Spain has reported one case of HPAI H5N8 in wild birds. This was in the region of
Catalonia in the north-eastern corner of Spain. The species was a Greylag Goose (Anser
anser).
7Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Animal & Plant Health Agency
Advice Services Team - International Disease Monitoring
Sweden has reported one outbreak of HPAI H5N5 in poultry. This was at a commercial
premises of 1,056,800 laying hens in Kalmar County in the south-east of the country.
There were two cases of HPAI H5N8 in wild birds. Both were in the southernmost county
of Skåne. The species were a Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis) and a Peregrine Falcon
(Falco peregrinus).
Ukraine has reported one outbreak of HPAI H5N8 in poultry; a backyard premises (birds
unspecified) in the province of Kiev in central-northern Ukraine.
Trends in Europe
Looking at the overall trends in Europe, there was a small increase in the number of wild
bird cases in the first three weeks of January following the decrease in rate of new cases
in November/December, although this is considerably smaller than the increase in wild bird
cases report in early 2017 (so far). To 25 January 2021, this year there have been 93 wild
bird cases of 844 in total since October; of which 38 were reported to OIE on 22 January.
At this stage in the 2016/17 epizootic there had been 625 wild bird cases, with cases rising
to over 1,000 by mid-February 2017 in the second peak.
For poultry, overall the number of outbreaks reported are reducing (particularly in Germany
and Poland). The exception is France, which has reported a large increase in numbers as
H5N8 spreads though the duck industry in the south-west.
In south-east Europe, HPAI has not obviously spread, with a few wild bird cases on the
Black Sea in Romania and the Czech Republic and no further reports in Hungary.
Implications for the UK
The detection of three HPAI H5 subtypes in the same epidemic event is unparalleled in the
UK. All these viruses are genetically closely related through their H5 haemagglutinin gene,
which is the key viral gene influencing pathogenesis, host range, transmission, and host
immunity. Continued virus change by genetic reassortment in wild birds is not unexpected,
and further genetic variation at genome level may be expected as the epidemic
progresses. Surveillance within the disease control zones continues, and results of
investigations will be published in a comprehensive epidemiological report.
The migration season for wild waterfowl to overwinter in the UK has by and large ended,
and numbers are expected to have peaked in December and January, depending on the
species and the weather conditions in Continental Europe. A large population of migratory
waterfowl are still present however, and will not be leaving the UK until March/April.
Moreover, the higher survival rate of the virus in the environment during winter means the risk
of environmental transmission remains, and hence the continued risk of secondary spread into
indigenous UK wild bird species. Higher environmental temperatures, together with increasing
sunlight intensities will reduce environmental levels of H5N8 and the associated risks in the
spring. As mentioned above, a second peak occurred at this time of year in the 2016/17 H5N8
8Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Animal & Plant Health Agency
Advice Services Team - International Disease Monitoring
epizootic. Monitoring weekly changes over the next few weeks is therefore important with
regard to the emergence of a second peak of disease in the UK and Europe.
Following confirmation of cases of both HPAI H5N8 and H5N1 and low pathogenicity avian
influenza (LPAI) H5N2 in poultry, the UK is no longer free from notifiable avian influenza
under the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) rules.
Where disease is confirmed, measures are put in place in accordance with Council
Directive 2005/94/EC. The EU will put safeguard measures in place, meaning that no trade
with the EU in live poultry or poultry products will be permitted from disease control zones.
Public Health England has confirmed that the risk to public health is very low from all three
HPAI strains detected and characterised to date (H5N8, H5N5, H5N1), and the Food
Standards Agency has said that avian influenza does not pose a food safety risk for UK
consumers.
International Trade
All outbreaks have been reported to the OIE to provide the necessary transparency
required for maintaining international trade. Although the UK has temporarily lost its OIE
country freedom status from HPAI, it is applying effective regionalisation as well as
compartmentalisation, in order to maintain safe trade from unaffected populations of high
value and high biosecurity commercial poultry. This is supported by the ongoing
surveillance, as well as the safeguards applied via the APHA Centre for International
Trade, and the rigorous and standardised certification process by Official Veterinarians.
Conclusion
The risk of HPAI incursion in wild birds in GB remains VERY HIGH. The overall risk of
exposure of poultry in GB remains MEDIUM (with stringent biosecurity) TO HIGH (where
biosecurity is not adequate).
An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone is in place in England, Scotland and Wales and the
UK Chief Veterinary Officer, alongside the CVOs from Scotland, Wales and Northern
Ireland are urging bird keepers across the UK to take additional biosecurity measures; in
order to prevent further outbreaks of avian influenza in the UK.
It is a legal requirement for all bird keepers to keep their birds indoors and to follow strict
biosecurity measures in order to limit the spread of and eradicate the disease. These
housing measures build on the strengthened biosecurity regulations that were brought in
as part of the Avian Influenza Protection Zone (AIPZ) on 11 November 2020.
If you keep poultry (including game birds or as pets), you should follow our biosecurity best
practice advice, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-
9Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Animal & Plant Health Agency
Advice Services Team - International Disease Monitoring
bird-flu#biosecurity-advice Remain vigilant for any signs of disease in your flock and
report any sign of avian influenza to Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301.
Further information is available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu
including updated biosecurity advice for poultry keepers for England;
https://gov.wales/avian-influenza for Wales and; http://gov.scot/avianinfluenza for
Scotland.
The OIE/FAO International Reference Laboratory/UK National Reference Laboratory at
Weybridge has the necessary ongoing proven diagnostic capability for these strains of
virus, whether low or high pathogenicity AI, and continually monitors changes in the virus.
We will continue to report on any updates on the situation in Europe and, in particular, any
changes in disease distribution or wild bird movements which may increase the risk to the
UK.
We ask that the public use the Defra helpline (Tel: 03459 33 55 77) to report findings of
any dead wild birds. In particular, any wild ducks, wild geese, swans, gulls, or birds of
prey.
Authors
Anthony Pacey
Dr Paul Gale
Dr Francesca Gauntlett
References
All outbreaks and cases were taken from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). Please
note that changes in format and level of detail are due to the change of data source for this report,
from EU’s Animal Disease Notification System (ADNS) to World Organisation for Animal Health
(OIE).
https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/avian-influenza-ai
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu#trade-import-and-export-issues
IZSVe (2021) Number of highly pathogenic avian influenza positive events notified per
poultry category each week from September 2020.
(https://www.izsvenezie.com/documents/reference-laboratories/avian-influenza/europe-
updates/HPAI/2020-1/total-events.pdf ).
10Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Animal & Plant Health Agency
Advice Services Team - International Disease Monitoring
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