Safety Alert - Bird Flu (H5N1)

Influenza (H5N1) outbreak Yorkshire

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs has confirmed a case of influenza of avian origin (H5N1) in a single sheep in Yorkshire following repeat positive milk testing.  

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.

While this is the first time this virus has been reported in a sheep, it is not the first-time influenza of avian origin has been detected in livestock in other countries. There is no evidence to suggest an increased risk to the nation’s livestock population. 

The University of York has a diverse bird population across the campus and there is a risk of bird flu being present on campus. Please do not touch infected birds, bird droppings or bedding on campus. 

Bird flu is a potentially serious disease which is spread by close contact with an infected bird (alive or dead) and it can affect humans.

To protect yourself and others:

• Do not touch infected birds, alive or deceased, even if the bird appears to be in distress
• Do not touch droppings or bedding

If you have concerns about a dead or infected bird on campus, please contact the Estates and Campus Services Helpdesk on fm-helpdesk@york.ac.uk or +44 (0)1904 32 5555, or through Campus Safety on +44 (0)1904 32 4444. This information will be passed onto our Grounds team to respond in the appropriate manner.

If you are concerned or you experience any symptoms of bird flu and have visited an area affected by bird flu in the past 10 days, please contact your GP or NHS 111. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bird-flu/

The University of York Health & safety incidents are reported electronically on SOLAR (System for Online Accident Reporting).

Find out more about the press release.