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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 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>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. This case definition will be updated in
due course as further information on the emerging situation in cattle in the USA 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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