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<p>The Government is in close contact with counterparts in the United States on the
incidents of influenza of avian origin in cattle in the USA. We know that the strain
of virus (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) strain B3.13) involved has not
been detected in the UK.</p><p> </p><p>Defra is working closely with the Department
of Health and Social Care (DHSC), the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the Food
Standards Agency, the Cabinet Office and with international partners on risk assessments
to consider the routes of incursion, animal to animal spread and animal to human spill-over
and to review our well-tested surveillance mechanisms and preparedness activities
in light of this emerging situation.</p><p> </p><p>The Animal and Plant Health Agency
(APHA) has assessed the risk to Great Britain of this outbreak in the USA of Influenza
A (H5N1) of avian origin in livestock to our own livestock as very low (event is very
rare but cannot be excluded). The assessment has been published on gov.uk <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.publishing.service.gov.uk%2Fmedia%2F662f8dccce557c60ed19ad49%2Favian-influenza-H5N1-in-cattle-in-USA.pdf&data=05%7C02%7Cpqteam%40defra.gov.uk%7C220b3966756342c99ed108dc70d9a296%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638509327253238362%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=ypZ9BGV%2FsXkykC7oYidu728WHxsiVcF%2BUOcXvKODOsw%3D&reserved=0"
target="_blank">Avian influenza in cattle in USA (publishing.service.gov.uk)</a> (see
attached). The Food Standards Agency (FSA) have assessed the risk to UK consumers
from HPAI strain B3.13 in imported milk, dairy products, colostrum and colostrum-based
products originating from US dairy cattle as very low with medium uncertainty (<a
href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.food.gov.uk%2Fresearch%2Ffoodborne-pathogens%2Frapid-risk-assessment-risk-to-uk-consumers-from-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-hpai-h5n1-b313-in-us-dairy-products%23%3A~%3Atext%3DAs%2520of%25202%2520May%25202024%2Csamples%2520of%2520retail%2520milk%2520tested.&data=05%7C02%7Cpqteam%40defra.gov.uk%7C220b3966756342c99ed108dc70d9a296%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638509327253250581%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=LEJZznDndv0RyfBivHHV9wkW7Fyhscpk%2BQNMC0xINVY%3D&reserved=0"
target="_blank">Rapid Risk Assessment: Risk to UK consumers from Highly Pathogenic
Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 B3.13 in US dairy products | Food Standards Agency</a>)
(see attached).</p><p> </p><p>In response to the unprecedented global outbreaks of
highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in wild and kept birds, the UK's avian
influenza national reference laboratory at the Animal and Plant Health Agency Weybridge
laboratory has increased its surveillance in both wild birds and wild mammals and
genome analysis of the virus itself while keeping a close eye on its spread in global
populations of wildlife. In addition, we have published an ‘Influenza A (H5N1) infection
in mammals: suspect case definition and diagnostic testing criteria’ on gov.uk to
support veterinary professionals and others in knowing when to report suspicion. The
UK case definition for influenza of avian origin in mammals has been updated and now
includes a case definition for ungulates including dairy cattle, this in response
the emerging situation in cattle in the USA and will be kept under regular review
as further information becomes available.</p><p> </p><p>We are monitoring the situation
closely but at this time have no reason to suspect the virus is circulating in our
cattle, nor is this strain of the virus circulating in Europe. We have had no recent
cases of avian influenza in kept birds, or findings of influenza of avian origin in
kept or wild mammals, and the risk level from wild birds is low. We have discussed
the need for surveillance in wildlife, domestic animals and humans with DHSC and UKHSA
and are considering the case for additional surveillance for influenza of avian origin
in cattle and how best such animal health surveillance could be undertaken.</p>
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