#18,833
Ten days ago, in The UK's Summer HPAI H5 Surge In Poultry, we looked at an unexpected increase in HPAI H5 outbreaks in poultry (n=4) just days after the UK lowered their threat level for poultry farmers (see Defra High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) in Great Britain and Europe).
In 2024, no poultry outbreaks were reported in the UK between March and early November - and the UK had gone 5 weeks without an outbreak - so this was not an unreasonable assumption.
In the week that followed 5 more outbreaks (4 confirmed, 1 suspected) were reported (see here, here, and here). (Note: 1 was in the Republic of Ireland).
Late yesterday 2 more confirmed cases were added (see map above), one from East Devon and the other from West Devon. This makes 10 in just over 2 weeks in the UK proper, and one in neighboring Ireland.
While this spate of summer HPAI outbreaks could prove to be little more than a transient event - it represents a change in the typical summer pattern - and is worth keeping our eye on.On 8 August 2025 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry at:
- premises near Seaton, East Devon, Devon (AIV 2025/58)
- premises near Lifton, West Devon, Devon (AIV 2025/59)
A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone has been declared surrounding each of the premises. All poultry on the premises will be humanely culled.
