First case of bird flu in sheep found on UK farm

The first case of bird flu in sheep has been found in the UK, the nations chief veterinary officer has confirmed.

The exact location of the farm has not been revealed, but a government spokesperson said the case was identified on a site in Yorkshire where bird flu had been confirmed in captive birds.

The spokesperson said the single infected sheep had been "humanely culled" and no further cases among the flock were found after "extensive testing".

"There is no evidence to suggest an increased risk to the nations livestock population," they added.

Christine Middlemiss, the UKs chief veterinary officer, said "strict" measures had been put in place to prevent the further spread of the disease.

She added: "While the risk to livestock remains low, I urge all animal owners to ensure scrupulous cleanliness is in place and to report any signs of infection to the Animal Plant Health Agency immediately."

Bird flu, also known as avian influenza or H5N1, is a disease caused by a virus that infects birds and sometimes other animals.

Dr Meera Chand, emerging infection lead at the UK Health Security Agency, said current evidence "suggests that the avian influenza viruses were seeing circulating around the world do not spread easily to people".

Dr Chand added: "The risk of avian flu to the general public remains very low."

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