Animal Disease Update: Avian Influenza and Foot-and-Mouth Disease

Businesses are being reminded of the importance of continued vigilance and biosecurity following new cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Great Britain and developments in foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) overseas.

The 2026/27 avian influenza season has begun with HPAI H5N5 confirmed in poultry on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland, on 2 October, followed by HPAI H5N1 in commercial poultry near Belford, Northumberland, on 19 October. The first outbreak resulted in Great Britain losing its HPAI disease-free status.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) had already increased the risk of HPAI in wild birds in Great Britain from low to medium, highlighting the importance of maintaining effective biosecurity as migratory birds arrive to overwinter.

Separately, Defra and APHA have published an assessment following outbreaks of FMD in Namibia. While the spread of FMD in southern Africa is concerning, the risk of incursion into Great Britain from the affected area remains assessed as low. UK restrictions have been introduced on imports of certain fresh meat and other products from affected parts of Namibia.

AIC Members should continue to monitor official disease updates and maintain appropriate biosecurity measures.