H5N1: UK reports world’s first case in a sheep

The UK has confirmed a case of H5N1 influenza of avian origin in a sheep in Yorkshire, in a world first.

The infection in the animal was identified through routine and repeated milk testing, which was enforced after avian influenza was confirmed in captive birds on the same premises. The sheep has now been “humanely culled” and no other cases of avian influenza have been detected in the remaining sheep, the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs and the Animal and Plant Health Agency have said.

“While this is the first time this virus has been reported in a sheep, …