Research and analysis

Avian influenza (influenza A H5N1): risk to human health

Risk assessments on the investigation into the risk to human health of avian influenza (influenza A H5N1) in England.

Applies to England

Documents

Technical risk assessment and evidence review as of 17 July 2024 of Influenza A(H5N1) 2.3.4.4b: US cattle outbreak update

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Technical risk assessment as of 16 May 2024 Influenza A(H5N1) 2.3.4.4b: US cattle outbreak

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If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email [email protected]. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

A record number of cases of avian influenza virus infections or ‘bird flu’ were confirmed across England, Scotland, and Wales in wild and captive birds last winter (2021 to 2022).

As we head into winter 2022 to 2023 there have been further increases in detections recently, both in wild and captive bird flocks.

Avian influenza virus infections which cause disease in humans are very rare but can cause serious disease and deaths.

We also publish technical briefings on the investigation into the risk to human health of avian influenza (influenza A H5N1) in England.

Updates to this page

Published 29 November 2022
Last updated 25 July 2024 + show all updates
  1. Added 'Influenza A(H5N1) 2.3.4.4b B3.13: US cattle outbreak update'.

  2. Added assessment of A(H5N1) 2.3.4.4b: US cattle outbreak.

  3. Updated 'Ability to cause (a) severe infection and (b) asymptomatic infection in humans' section of Technical risk assessment for avian influenza (human health).

  4. Corrected date in 'Technical risk assessment as of 30 January 2023 for avian influenza (human health): influenza A H5N1 2.3.4.4b'.

  5. Added 'Risk assessment as of 30 January 2023 for avian influenza (human health): influenza A H5N1 2.3.4.4b'.

  6. First published.

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