Sunday, November 15, 2026

Canada: CFIA Statement on H5N1 Outbreak At Saskatchewan Poultry Show

Posted on Saskatchewan Poultry Association Group Facebook page

#19,417

Yesterday, CBC News reported Avian flu outbreak at national poultry show spreads to other provinces: CFIA, citing receipt of a CFIA statement. I was unable to find it on the CFIA website, but did locate a copy on the Saskatchewan Poultry Association Group Facebook page (above).

The text reads:

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

November 13, 2026

Important Notice: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Exposure

In Canada, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is a federally reportable disease under the Health of Animals Act for all animals, meaning any suspected or confirmed case must be reported immediately to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

The CFIA has detected a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza associated with a poultry show held on November 07, 2026 by the American Poultry Association for District 11 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. If you showed birds at the event, or purchased or sold birds at the event, please immediately contact the CFIA's sick bird call line at 1-403-338-5225 if the CFIA has not already contacted you.

If you attended the event without showing, purchasing, or selling birds, but you have birds of your own at home, please monitor them for any signs of illness. The incubation period of HPAL ranges from 2 to 14 days and it can be transmitted to other birds in multiple ways, such as birds having direct or indirect contact with infected birds, or through the movement of contaminated clothing/footwear to other groups of birds. If your own birds display any clinical signs which could be associated with highly pathogenic avian influenza (ex. lethargic, not eating, swollen cyes/wattles/combs, respiratory signs, unexpected decrease in egg production, or deaths), immediately contact the CFIA's sick bird call line at 1-403-338-5225 to report this suspicion of

Thank you for your cooperation in helping to control this outbreak. For more information regarding highly pathogenic avian influenza, visit:

https://inspection.canada.ca/en/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/diseases/reportable/avian-influenza

 
CFIA reported their first outbreak in poultry of the fall on September 10th, followed by a slow ramping up of cases through the rest of September (n=8) and October (n=13).  Over the past 5 days, however, the number of outbreaks has risen sharply (n=11). 


Poultry exhibitions tend to be held in the fall, since adult birds molt in the summer and typically regain peak appearance in October and November, chicks hatched in the spring reach full adult size by autumn, and transport of birds is easier during cooler weather (less heat stress). 

Unfortunately, this also corresponds with the fall bird migration and increased risk of HPAI. 

While this Saskatchewan event appears to be one of the last big events this year in Canada, the American Poultry Association still lists a number of large events scheduled over the next two months. 

HPAI outbreaks traced to poultry exhibitions in North America have been rare thus far due to biosecurity measures in place and a willingness to cancel events, but we have seen numerous outbreaks linked to live bird markets (see USDA Reports Another H5N1 Outbreak at a Live Bird Market (Pennsylvania)).

Each year it seems to get a little bit harder to prevent and/or contain HPAI.  While fortuitous evolution might someday attenuate those risks, so far, we've seen little sign of that happening. 


Saturday, November 14, 2026

For When The Bough Breaks


CDC Infographic

#19,416

Over the past 20 years the secondary focus of this blog has been on personal preparedness, and the growing fragility our our increasingly high-tech dependent infrastructure. 

Much of this comes from my 15 years of living aboard boats, and constantly thinking about what could fail (usually at the worst possible moment), and how to limit its impact. 

The events of the past few days (Microsoft outage, FAA 4-hour emergency groundstop, and several very large cyber-heists) remind us how fragile or vulnerable our systems are.  

Last January, in NERC: Long-Term Reliability Assessment (Jan 2026), we looked (again) at growing concerns over the stability of the nation's electrical grid, followed last May by NERC Issues Level 3 Alert As Grid Faces `Unprecedented Challenges' Due to Surge In Large Power Consumers.

Every four years the ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) releases a report card on America’s infrastructure, and their most recent report (2025) warns that our cumulative GPA for infrastructure sits at only a C, and one of our most vulnerable infrastructures is the electrical grid (D+). 


This D+ rating is shared by Aviation, Dams, Roads, Levees, Wastewater, and Schools, while Stormwater and Transit are rated even lower.  And every day that passes without addressing these problems only increases the risks. 

Regardless of what conspires to bring these systems down (age, neglect, deliberate sabotage, etc.), the impact will often first fall upon the American public.  

I was in New Orleans 5 weeks after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and there was still no electricity, or running water, across most of the city.  The streets were lined with debris and dead refrigerators filled with rotting food, pharmacies were still boarded up, and any semblance of normalcy was still months away.

In 2014's Water, Water, Everywhere But Not A Drop To Drink we saw hundreds of thousands of Ohio residents without  potable water for days due to harmful toxins produced by a microcystis algae bloom.  This was neither the first or last such event. 

A similar emergency was declared in Oregon in 2018 (see Tapping Into Your Preps).  

(2018 advisory)

Eight years ago, in NIAC: Surviving A Catastrophic Power Outage, we looked at a presidential commission's report on the risks of a major, prolonged, grid collapse.

This 92-page report was released a little more than a year after hurricane ravaged Puerto Rico suffered the longest (11-month) grid failure in American History  and a year following another report - DHS: NIAC Cyber Threat Report - August 2017 - that warned of growing cyber threats to our critical infrastructure and called for `bold, decisive actions'.

Over the past 10 years I've gone through 2 hurricane-induced extended (4-7 day) power outages, and one prolonged community well failure, that had me relying on my personal preps for food, water, and power for days. 

Yet I've been lucky.  Many others have had to deal with far worse. 

In recent months we've seen increased calls by governments around the world for increased personal preparedness (see UK National Risk Register 2026 - Urges Citizen Preparedness). While the reasons given are often vague, concerns over natural or man-made disasters appear to be rising. 

California and the Pacific Northwest are bracing for what could be an unprecedented winter El Nino (see California Declares State of Emergency to Bolster Statewide El NiƱo Preparedness), while Florida has just completed its first El Nino Awareness week.

This year, I've beefed up my solar preps, adding a second solar panel, and additional battery capacity (see #NPM26: It's a 12 Volt Life).  I've added a battery operated camp shower, a better shortwave radio, and have recently gone through and thrown out long out-of-date canned food from my pantry. 

None of which guarantees I'll come away unscathed from an emergency, but I firmly believe it greatly increases my chances. 

While I'm far from a luddite (I love my gadgets), I know that things break. And as a (former) computer programer I know the more complicated a system becomes, the more likely it is to fail and the harder it will be to fix.

Given the complexities of our aging infrastructure, it follows that more failures can be expected.  Whether due to natural disasters, failed upgrades, `bad actors', or simply bad luck . . . the odds increase a little each day that you will be adversely affected.

The question isn't whether another emergency will arise, it is whether you and your family will be ready to deal with it.  How you should prepare will depend upon where you live, the likely threats you will face, and logistical, physical, or financial limitations. 

I'm unlikely to freeze to death here in Florida, but heat-related deaths are relatively common.  And while Southern California doesn't worry about hurricanes, they do have a significant seismic threat. 

How you go about preparing may be different, but your goals are pretty similar. So if the power goes out today - and stays out for a week - do you have?

  • A battery operated NWS Emergency Radio to find out what was going on, and to get vital instructions from emergency officials
  • A decent first-aid kit, so that you can treat injuries
  • Enough non-perishable food and water on hand to feed and hydrate your family (including pets) for the duration
  • A way to provide light when the grid is down.
  • A way to cook safely without electricity
  • A way to purify or filter water
  • A way to handle basic sanitation and waste disposal.
  • A way to stay cool (fans) or warm when the power is out.
  • A small supply of cash to use in case credit/debit machines are not working
  • An emergency plan, including meeting places, emergency out-of-state contact numbers, a disaster buddy, and in case you must evacuate, a bug-out bag
  • Spare supply of essential prescription medicines that you or your family may need
  • A way to entertain yourself, or your kids, during a prolonged blackout
A good place to get started is by visiting Ready.gov, or by hitting this link which will serve up a series of my preparedness blogs.

While you may go years without needing it, with emergency preparedness it is better to be ready 5 years too soon than 5 minutes too late.

WHO DON: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus - Qatar

 

#19,415

Although reports of human infection with MERS-CoV have dwindled in recent years, this family of coronaviruses still circulates (and evolves) in dromedary camels both in the Middle East and Africa, and still poses a zoonotic threat.

A month ago - in WHO DON: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - we looked at the WHO's first Saudi MERS update of 2026, which chronicled  8 cases reported by KSA since last December.

Last August, in WHO: Risk assessment of the introduction, spread, and zoonotic spillover of MERS-CoV Clade B in camel populations of the Nile Basin and Across Africa, we looked at concerns over the cryptic spread of MERS in Africa. 

But whether in Africa or the Arabian peninsula, MERS-CoV spillover to humans is viewed as likely underreported (see (Referral) Nature: Human MERS-CoV cases are falling but pose an ongoing pandemic threat).

While some of this decline is likely due to difficulties in identifying cases, at the same time some Middle Eastern countries have shown past reluctance to report cases.

Yesterday the WHO published a DON (Disease Outbreak News) on two (apparently unrelated) MERS cases from Qatar which occurred in August, but were only recently (Oct 29th) reported to the WHO. 

Of particularly note, the first case fell ill on July 22nd - was hospitalized on July 25th, but not diagnosed with MERS-CoV until the 5th of August - a delay which may help explain the large number of contacts (73), including 62 healthcare workers. 

The second case was identified relatively quickly, but 22 HCWs were identified as close contacts.   In both instances, no secondary infections were reported. 

Due to its length, I've only posted excerpts from the WHO DON report. Follow the link to read it in its entirety.  I'll have a brief postscript after the break.

Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) – Qatar
13 November 2026

Situation at a glance

On 29 October 2026, the National International Health Regulations (IHR) Focal Point of the State of Qatar notified the World Health Organization (WHO) of two laboratory-confirmed cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). The cases were confirmed on 5 and 25 August 2026 and are the first MERS cases reported from Qatar since 2022. MERS is a viral zoonotic infection, principally transmitted to humans through direct or indirect contact with infected dromedary camels. Both patients were men aged over 50 years with underlying medical conditions and occupational exposure to dromedary camels. Both were hospitalized and subsequently discharged in a stable condition. A total of 99 contacts from both cases were identified, tested, and monitored for 14 days following their last exposure. All contacts tested negative for MERS-CoV, and no secondary cases were identified. The two cases reported exposure to dromedary camels at geographically separate farms, with no epidemiological link identified between them. The cases appear to represent sporadic infections associated with zoonotic transmission from dromedary camels rather than human-to-human transmission.

Description of the situation

On 29 October 2026, the National IHR Focal Point of Qatar notified WHO of two laboratory-confirmed cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). The cases were confirmed on 5 and 25 August 2026. These are the first MERS-CoV cases reported by the State of Qatar since 2022.

The first case was a man aged over 50 years who worked with dromedary camels and had chronic medical conditions. He developed symptoms on 22 July 2026 and was admitted to hospital on 25 July. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on an upper-respiratory tract specimen initially tested negative for MERS-CoV. A subsequent lower-respiratory tract specimen tested positive by RT-PCR, and infection was laboratory-confirmed on 5 August. He reported longstanding occupational exposure to dromedary camels, including during the 14 days before symptom onset. He did not report consuming raw camel milk or any recent travel. He recovered and was discharged in a stable condition after two consecutive negative PCR test results.

A total of 73 contacts were identified for this case, comprising 11 close contacts and 62 health and care workers. All contacts were tested and monitored for 14 days following their last exposure. All tested negative for MERS-CoV, and no secondary cases were identified.

The second case was a man aged over 50 years who was involved in camel breeding and rearing and had underlying chronic medical conditions. He developed symptoms on 23 August 2026. Two nasopharyngeal specimens tested positive for MERS-CoV by RT-PCR on 25 August. He reported sustained occupational exposure to dromedary camels, including directly caring for recently ill young camels during the 14 days preceding symptom onset. He also reported consuming raw camel milk during this period but had no recent travel history.

He developed severe MERS-CoV pneumonia complicated by acute hypoxemic respiratory failure and required high-flow nasal oxygen and non-invasive ventilatory support. He subsequently recovered and was discharged in a stable condition after two consecutive negative PCR test results.

A total of 26 contacts were identified for this case, comprising four close contacts and 22 health and care workers. All contacts were tested and monitored for 14 days following their last exposure and tested negative for MERS-CoV. One high-risk contact who was a health and care worker developed respiratory symptoms but tested negative for MERS-CoV on two specimens. No secondary cases were identified.

The two cases reported occupational exposure at geographically separate camel farms, with no epidemiological link identified between the farms or the cases. The precise sources of infection remain undetermined. However, their sustained occupational exposure to dromedary camels, including direct contact with recently ill camels in one case and the consumption of raw camel milk by the same case, suggest probable zoonotic acquisition.
       (SNIP)

These are the first MERS cases reported from Qatar since 2022. Both cases had occupational exposure to dromedary camels, and one reported tending to sick camels and consuming raw camel milk during the 14 days before symptom onset. The cases were exposed at geographically separate farms, with no epidemiological link identified between them. All 99 identified contacts tested negative for MERS-CoV, and no secondary cases were identified. The available information therefore suggests that these were sporadic infections associated with zoonotic transmission rather than human-to-human transmission.

The occurrence of two apparently unlinked cases highlights the continued risk of zoonotic spillover among people with frequent or occupational exposure to dromedary camels, particularly those with underlying medical conditions.

As per WHO’s rapid risk assessment of 29 January 2026, the overall risk associated with MERS-CoV remains moderate at both the regional and global levels. This assessment reflects continued sporadic zoonotic spillover into the human population and the potential for subsequent health care-associated transmission and international importation into countries where the disease is not endemic.

Based on the information reported by the State of Qatar, there is no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission associated with these cases. Continued surveillance and animal health investigations remain important to detect and assess any potential further transmission.
        (Continue . . . )


Prior to COVID's emergence in late 2019, MERS-CoV was the top contender for sparking a coronavirus pandemic, sporting a high mortality rate (>30%), and spreading easily through hospitals in the Middle East (and South Korea) (see Ziad Memish: Two MERS-CoV Hospital Super Spreading Studies).

In the summer of 2025 we looked at an editorial in Journal of Epidemiology & Global Health on the importance of continued healthcare preparedness and surveillance (see Al-Tawfiq & Memish On Recurrent MERS-CoV Transmission in Saudi Arabia), with an emphasis on identifying asymptomatic carriers.

Whether MERS-CoV will re-emerge as a global health threat remains unknown, but it continues to circulate and evolve - largely out of our view - on both the Arabian Peninsula and in Africa.

Which makes it very much worth our attention.

Friday, November 13, 2026

UK: Defra Upgrades AIPZ to Include Housing Order Due to Avian Flu

 

#19,414


On Wednesday, in UK Scotland: H5N5 Reported In Eurasian Otters - AIPZs Declared for England and Scotland, we looked at the robust start to the UK's fall avian flu season, including 3 detections of H5N5 in local otters.  

Today - after 2 more outbreaks -  the AIPZ (Avian Influenza Protection Zone) order has been upgraded to include mandatory housing of flocks > 50 birds (or small flocks where meat or eggs are sold).

The updates from Defra include:

12 November 2026: avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ) with housing measures

The avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ) with mandatory biosecurity measures covering all of England has been updated to include housing measures. The housing measures apply from 00:01 on 13 November 2026.

All bird keepers should continue to take steps to prevent bird flu and stop it spreading and be vigilant for signs of disease.

Read guidance on housing your birds safely.
Declaration

Declaration of Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (England) – mandatory biosecurity and housing measures (PDF)

From 00:01 on 13 November, this declaration revokes and replaces the declaration made at 23:30 on 10 November 2026, which came into force at 9:00 on 11 November 2026:

Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (England) declaration (PDF)
Defra defines the mandatory housing order as:
In the AIPZ in England there are mandatory housing measures which mean you may have to house your birds.
  • If you have 50 or more birds you must house them. This applies to all types of birds.
  • If you keep less than 50 birds and they are for your own use only (for example you do not sell or give away their eggs or meat), you do not have to house them.
  • If you keep less than 50 birds but you do sell or give away their eggs, poultry products or live birds, you must house them. These birds are known as ‘poultry.
Housing your birds reduces the risk of contact with wild birds, which can spread bird flu.

Meanwhile, here in the United States the number of backyard outbreaks continues to outpace commercial farms (see below). 


Canada's CFIA also reports a surge in detections, with 11 new outbreaks since November 1st.

While most commercial poultry producers have long experience dealing with outbreaks, surveys indicate that backyard producers are generally less well aware of the signs of avian flu, and may be less inclined to wear PPE.


Which means, if you raise backyard birds, now would be a good time to familiarize yourselves with the risks of avian flu, and the things you can do to reduce those risks to you and your families.

A couple of good places to start include:

Thursday, November 12, 2026

Referral (NEJM): Autoantibodies against Type I Interferons and Death from H7N7 Avian Influenza

 
AutoAb development in population
credit Human autoantibodies against type I
interferons in severe viral disease

#19,413

We've a fascinating correspondence  - published yesterday (Nov 11th) in the NEJM - which links a relatively rare autoimmune dysfunction (autoantibodies against Type I Interferons) to increased severity of novel flu infection.  

The authors hypothesize that those with this condition could potentially act as “patients zero” in emerging viral pandemics. 

Since this correspondence is not open access, I'm only able to give some background and a brief synopsis. Those already familiar with the events of the 2003 H7N7 outbreak, and the recent discoveries surrounding this autoimmune condition, may prefer to proceed directly to the link below.   
Autoantibodies against Type I Interferons and Death from H7N7 Avian Influenza
Published November 11, 2026
N Engl J Med 2026;395:1963-1965
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMc2608446
VOL. 395 NO. 19 Copyright © 2026

For those preferring a review:

In 2003, the Netherlands saw an outbreak of H7N7 that resulted in the loss of 30 million birds across 1,000 farms, and saw scores of mild human infections and the death of a veterinarian (see Eurosurveillance Human-to-human transmission of avian influenza A/H7N7, The Netherlands, 2003).

Another analysis, performed by the RIVM (Ministry of Health) found the spread of the virus to be much greater than originally reported, citing as many as 1,000 human infections (see Executive summary Avian Flu Epidemic 2003: Public health consequences).

Both reports cited likely human-to-human transmission, with the RIVM study finding ` . .  58.9% of the family contacts of persons having direct exposure to poultry had a measurable response in the HI test.' 

Most of these cases reported mild symptoms; primarily conjunctivitis.  A minority reported mild-or-moderate flu-like symptoms (often in conjunction with conjunctivitis), and one patient died. 

While nowhere as deadly to humans as H5N1 or H7N9, this H7N7 outbreak serves as a cautionary tale on the susceptibility of humans to novel influenza.  It also raises questions about the wide spectrum of outcomes from novel flu infection.

Relatively recently a rare immune dysfunction - autoantibodies against type I interferons - has been tagged as a likely determinant of severity in viral infections.  

Six months ago, a review article in Current Opinion in Virology (Human autoantibodies against type I interferons in severe viral disease by Groen & Hale) reported:

Highlights
  • AutoAb development is influenced by age, genetics, immune tolerance, and infections.
  • IFN-I autoAbs heighten risk for severe infections and live-vaccine adverse events.
  • Targeted diagnostic screening for IFN-I autoAbs could benefit certain individuals.
  • Understanding autoAb mechanisms will help devise potential therapeutic strategies.
While first discovered in the early 1980s, it wasn't until COVID that AutoAbs impact on viral infections was really appreciated (see Nature Human genetic and immunological determinants of critical COVID-19 pneumonia).

All of which brings us to the NEJM correspondence, where the authors went back and tested stored serum from 35 patients from the 2003 H7N7 outbreak, including the 58 y.o. veterinarian who died. 

They found the fatal case had autoantibodies neutralizing interferon-α, -ω, and -β, while 2 of the remaining 34 mild cases had autoantibodies neutralizing interferon-β only.

Since antibodies against all three subtypes are rare in people under 60, the authors say this is unlikely to be by chance.  Strengthening their case, the fatal H5N1 case in Louisiana in early 2025 carried IFN-I autoAbs. 

Autoantibodies neutralizing type I IFNs in a fatal case of H5N1 avian influenza

Qian Zhang Corresponding Author , Taylor S. Conrad , Marcela Moncada-Velez , Kaijun Jiang ,Anastasija Cupic , Jonathan Eaton , Kimberley Hutchinson ,Adrian Gervais ,Ruyue Chen , Anne Puel , Paul Bastard  , Aurelie Cobat ,Thersa Sokol , RyanA. Langlois  ,Lisa Miorin  , Adolfo GarcĆ­a-Sastre  ,John A. Vanchiere , Jean-Laurent Casanova Corresponding Author

Author and Article Information
J Exp Med (2026) 223 (3): e20251962.
https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.20251962


While it is well established that avian flu viruses have a hard time establishing themselves in humans, and that human-to-human transmission is uncommon, this rare autoimmune condition could provide a foothold for novel viruses like H5N1, H7N7, and H9N2 to adapt to humans. 

At least that's the theory. Admittedly, one based on limited evidence.

But if it turns out to be correct, it becomes even more imperative that we take steps to prevent spillovers (PPEs, seasonal flu vaccines to prevent coinfection and reassortment, etc.), and to treat even mild cases as potential public health threats. 

Policies which, based on recent anecdotal reports (see Newsweek Farm Workers Sound Alarm on Underreported Bird Flu Numbers), still appear to be lacking.

Wednesday, November 11, 2026

UK Scotland: H5N5 Reported In Eurasian Otters - AIPZs Declared for England and Scotland

 

#19,412

We've been watching the co-circulation and spread of an H5N5 subtype of avian flu - primarily in the high latitude regions of the Northern Hemisphere - for the past 3 years (see Preprint: H5N5 virus transmission is driven by repeated cross-Atlantic introductions and transmission among high latitude seabirds).

We've seen numerous reports of H5N5 from Norway, Svalbard island, Iceland, and eastern Canada, often infecting mammals, including cats, polar bears, raccoons, foxes, and walruses.
In the spring of 2025, the UK reported 15 grey seals infected with H5N5. The following November, in UK: HPAI H5N5 Rising, we saw a sudden shift in H5N5 activity in wild birds in the UK, with the APHA reporting:

Since our previous outbreak assessment on 7 October 2024, there have been no new reports of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) H5 clade 2.3.3.4b in domestic poultry in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). There have, however, been 15 more HPAI H5 clade 2.3.3.4b events involving 26 “found-dead” wild birds in Great Britain. Of these, 25 were HPAI H5N5 with 1 case of HPAI H5N1.
Also in November of 2025 the United States reported the first (and fatal) human infection with H5N5.  While still a minor player in the global scheme of things, H5N5 continues to show surprising resilience and spread. 

While most of these reports have involved wild birds and/or small mammals, in early October Scotland reported an outbreak of H5N5 in commercial poultry in Ness, Isle of Lewis.
3 October 2026

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N5 was confirmed in commercial backyard poultry in Ness, Isle of Lewis, Scotland (AIV 2026/20). A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone has been declared around the premises. This is the first outbreak of the 2026 to 2027 season and following confirmation of this case, GB has lost its freedom from highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu) status.
In an update, posted today by defra, the UK government has announced AIPZs (avian influenza protection zones) have been declared for both England and Scotland.

11 November 2026
AIPZ declared in England and Scotland from 11 November 2026

Following a number of findings of highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds and detections in poultry and increased risk levels, an avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ) has been declared covering England and Scotland to mitigate the risk of further outbreaks of disease occurring.

This means that it is a legal requirement for all bird keepers in England and Scotland to follow strict biosecurity to prevent bird flu and stop it spreading.

You can read more information on the requirements for certain types of bird:
in the declaration for the AIPZ in England
In the declaration for the AIPZ in Scotland

Additionally, today defra has updated their avian flu in on-avian wildlife list for the first time since early March, adding three recent H5N5 detections over 5 weeks. 


The most recent High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) in Great Britain and Europe Update Assessment (#11) - dated Nov. 6th,  but released yesterday- carries the following map showing 81 detections of HPAI H5 since Oct 1st. 

I've circled the H5N5 detections.  For now, all are on the western and northern coastlines, which fits the narrative that it is primarily carried by sea and shore birds. 

Whether it can establish itself further inland remains to be seen. But for now, it seems to be holding its own against H5N1.