England Declares Zonal Freedom from Bird Flu: A Milestone in Avian Health

The United Kingdom has achieved a significant milestone in animal health, declaring zonal freedom from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) as of 29 March 2024. This declaration, in accordance with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) rules, marks a turning point in the country's battle against bird flu, reflecting a substantial reduction in the number of confirmed HPAI cases across the region.

Since October 2023, England reported four new cases of HPAI, contributing to a total of 298 cases since October 2021. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have also observed declines, with Scotland reporting a single case of low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) H7N3 in March 2023. This progress culminates in Great Britain's self-declared zonal freedom, a status soon to be reviewed and published by WOAH, following Northern Ireland's declaration of freedom in March 2023.

The current absence of HPAI outbreaks in poultry and captive birds across the UK is a significant achievement, especially given the continued presence of HPAI H5N1 in wild birds not only in Great Britain but across Europe. This situation underscores the importance of vigilance and stringent biosecurity measures among bird keepers to maintain this status and protect the health and welfare of birds.

This accomplishment highlights the effectiveness of the UK's strategic approach to avian health management, including surveillance, rapid response to outbreaks, and comprehensive biosecurity measures. As the country celebrates this milestone, the continued cooperation between the government, industry stakeholders, and bird keepers will be crucial in safeguarding the health of birds and the stability of the poultry industry against the backdrop of ongoing challenges in avian influenza management globally.