Infectious Diseases 2025

Infectious Diseases 2025

UK farmers urge action on HPAI vaccination strategy

31 January, 2025

According to a BBC publication, poultry farmers in the UK are appealing to the government to let them vaccinate their flocks against the "devastating" avian influenza virus spreading across the country.
Vaccinating poultry against avian influenza is currently not allowed in the UK. The government says that strong biosecurity measures and culling are the most effective ways of fighting it. Overall levels of the virus have not yet reached the peak of recent years, but without a vaccine, it only a matter of time before the number of outbreaks will increase again.
An avian influenza prevention zone enforcing strict hygiene standards around domesticated birds has been declared for England, Wales and Scotland amid a rising number of cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
Defra has set up a cross-government and poultry industry taskforce that is looking at the potential use of vaccines, and is due to publish its report later this year. There have so far been 25 farm outbreaks of bird flu since the annual winter recording season began in October.
The National Farmers' Union said it was "essential that Defra refocuses efforts" on coming up with a workable avian influenza vaccination plan for the UK. The government currently only allows licensed zoos to vaccinate captive birds against HPAI.