Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been confirmed on a commercial free-range egg farm near Belford in north Northumberland, England, with an estimated 32,000 laying hens affected, Farmers Weekly reports. The case was confirmed on 19 October.
A 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone have been set up around the farm, and all birds on the holding will be culled. It is the second confirmed case in Great Britain this season, after an H5N5 infection in a backyard flock near Ness on the Isle of Lewis earlier in October, and Great Britain has lost its disease-free status, with implications for international trade. Last season 100 premises were affected.
"It's not unexpected, but clearly disappointing for the industry and particularly distressing for the farmer and their family concerned," said Gary Ford, head of strategy at the British Free Range Egg Producers Association. Control still rests on early reporting, rapid culling and thorough cleaning and disinfection, he said; last year about 60% of infected premises were cleared by whole-house gassing.
Poultry producers in England are being encouraged to use funded veterinary biosecurity reviews under Defra's Animal Health and Welfare Pathway, launched in May, which pays £430 a review for up to three visits per qualifying site. Farmers choose their own vet, who assesses disease risks and writes a report. Will Raw, chair of the NFU Poultry Board, urged keepers of flocks of every size to keep biosecurity at the highest standard as migratory birds arrive.
Trials of avian influenza vaccines are continuing, including recent work in turkeys, though results have not been fully analysed. Ford said vaccination could become another tool, but international trade restrictions and the need for agreement between trading partners remain big obstacles.
Photo: Humphrey Bolton / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Source: Farmers Weekly
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