With no new cases of avian influenza in the country since February, the UK has declared itself safe from the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
The UK’s declaration follows Northern Ireland’s declaration of freedom on 31 March 2023, and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has confirmed that the risk to poultry remains low.
However, the WHOAH advises that HPAI H5N1, a subvariant of HPAI, continues to be found at low levels in wild birds in Great Britain and across Europe. Outbreaks are occurring in poultry and other captive birds in several countries in Europe. The UK government is urging bird owners to remain vigilant and practice stringent biosecurity measures to protect their birds from infection.
The government also continues to stress that there is no impact on the consumption of properly cooked poultry products, including eggs.