2 more poultry workers test positive for bird flu

(VAN) In the UK, 2 more poultry workers have tested positive for the H5N1 bird flu strain as part of an ongoing asymptomatic testing programme being conducted by the British government.

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The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said the 2 workers had been in contact with infected birds at 2 different premises in England. It follows the discovery of 2 earlier cases in workers in May. Those poultry workers have since tested negative. The UKHSA reported that the cases are not linked.

The UKHSA testing programme includes farm staff, staff involved in culling operations, vets and other health and safety staff.

“The first new detection is difficult to interpret due to a lack of information on sample timing and may be consistent with infection or contamination of the respiratory tract,” said the UKHAS in a statement, adding, “The second new detection is likely to represent contamination. Precautionary contact tracing was undertaken.”

Around 50 other people who work at the 2 affected sites were tested for bird flu – all tests came back negative, the UKHSA confirmed.

It has not detected any evidence of human-to-human transmission, and the risk to human health remains unchanged, with the danger remaining very low to the general public.

Avian influenza

The constant threat of Avian influenza is an issue for poultry producers worldwide. The detrimental consequences of a disease outbreak in the flock, coupled with the effects on trade and day-to-day operations, can be heartbreaking. Poultry World keeps you up-to-date on the latest information, research and preventative measures.

(PW)