Bird Flu Bulletin: Daily H5N1 Update
Monday, September 29, 2025

Good afternoon and welcome to the Bird Flu Bulletin: Daily H5N1 Update. Today is Monday, September 29, 2025. Here are today's top stories and developments in the global bird flu situation.

Top Stories

First, in the UK, officials have confirmed a major new outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 at a commercial poultry farm near Wetheral, Cumberland. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced the outbreak yesterday, triggering an immediate cull of 43,000 birds and the establishment of strict 3km protection and 10km surveillance zones around the farm. Movement controls are now in effect for poultry, captive birds, and related products in the area. Defra continues to stress that strict biosecurity remains the central defense against further spread. While a severe setback for the poultry industry, the risk to public health remains very low according to the Food Standards Agency, and properly cooked poultry and eggs are safe to eat. The economic impact on farming, however, is substantial with costs rising and supply chain disruptions persisting.

Second, in the United States, Wisconsin has reported its largest poultry outbreak of H5N1 this year in Jefferson County. More than three million birds are set to be culled at the affected farm, which has now been quarantined according to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. This new case is part of a recent uptick in H5N1 detections throughout the Midwest, accompanied by ongoing national monitoring in both poultry and dairy cattle. The USDA highlights that 21 new poultry outbreaks have occurred across eight states in the last 30 days, showing that the virus remains persistent and challenging to control.

Third, there has been an unusual detection of H5N1 avian influenza in a sheep in Yorkshire, England. Testing revealed the presence of H5 antibodies and viral RNA in the ewe's milk, marking the first such case in the UK. All affected animals were culled to prevent further spread. Health authorities emphasize that while rare, spillover events to livestock are being closely monitored, and there is no evidence yet of increased risk to other livestock populations.

Current Case Numbers

There are now 81 confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza across the UK since the current outbreak began, with 71 in England, 3 in Scotland, 2 in Wales, and 4 in Northern Ireland. This is an increase of one new outbreak compared to yesterday, following the confirmation in Cumbria. In the US, 21 new poultry outbreaks have been confirmed nationwide in the past month, with Wisconsin experiencing its largest single event since April.

New Guidance from Health Authorities

Authorities in both the UK and US are reinforcing biosecurity procedures. The UK has recently updated its mandatory biosecurity measures, including enhanced disease reporting for all bird keepers and stricter guidelines for game bird operations. In the US, farm owners are urged to limit access, disinfect equipment, and isolate new additions for at least 30 days. Both countries underscore the importance of strong farm-level controls as fall bird migration approaches—a period associated with higher transmission risk.

Expert Interview

Here’s a brief excerpt from Dr. Emily Foster, epidemiologist at the Animal and Plant Health Agency:
"We’re seeing H5N1 become more entrenched in wild bird populations, which complicates eradication. Our best defense right now is rapid detection, strict biosecurity, and coordinated response across agencies. With each new outbreak, swift containment is essential to prevent spillover and protect both the poultry industry and public health."

Looking Ahead

Expect closer surveillance in outbreak zones and possible expansion of movement controls if further cases are detected, especially as migratory birds begin arriving and mixing with local flocks. Authorities are likely to issue additional updates on biosecurity, and more livestock screening results may become available across the UK and US over the next 24 hours.

Thank you for tuning in to Bird Flu Bulletin: Daily H5N1 Update. Join us next week for the latest developments. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out Quiet Please Dot AI.

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