A "very uncommon" case of fowl flu has been detected in a human in southwest England, a U.Ok. authorities company confirmed on Thursday.

The U.Ok. Well being Safety Company (UKHSA) stated that the particular person had been in shut contact with contaminated birds and there was no proof of onward transmission.

The UKHSA stated: "The particular person acquired the an infection from very shut, common contact with numerous contaminated birds, which they stored in and round their residence over a chronic time period.

"All contacts of the person, together with those that visited the premises, have been traced and there's no proof of onward unfold of the an infection to anybody else. The person is at the moment properly and self-isolating. The danger to the broader public from avian flu continues to be very low."

The U.Ok.'s chief veterinary officer, Christine Middlemiss, stated in a press launch that the chance of the unfold of avian flu had been additional diminished by speedy motion.

She stated: "Whereas avian influenza is very contagious in birds, it is a very uncommon occasion and may be very particular to the circumstances on this premises.

"We took swift motion to restrict the unfold of the illness on the web site in query, all contaminated birds have been humanely culled, and cleaning and disinfection of the premises is underway. It is a reminder that stringent cleanliness when conserving animals is essential."

The UKHSA stated that the U.Ok. has not too long ago seen numerous outbreaks and incidents of the H5N1 pressure of avian influenza in birds throughout the nation. This has prompted the U.Ok.'s Chief Veterinary Officer and the Animal and Plant Well being Company (APHA) to subject alerts to fowl homeowners.

This case was detected when APHA recognized an outbreak of avian flu in a flock of birds as a part of routine testing. The UKHSA stated that the World Well being Group had been knowledgeable of the an infection.

It added that to stop the unfold of avian flu, it will be important that folks don't contact or in any other case deal with lifeless birds. Uncovered individuals are supplied anti-viral therapy to cease the virus from reproducing of their our bodies, thus limiting the unfold of avian flu.

Professor Ian Jones, a virologist on the College of Studying, U.Ok., stated in a press release: "Switch of avian flu to folks is uncommon because it requires direct contact between an contaminated, often lifeless, fowl and the person involved.

"It's a danger for the handlers who're charged with the disposal of carcasses after an outbreak however the virus doesn't unfold typically and poses little menace. It doesn't behave just like the seasonal flu we're used to."

Jones stated: "Regardless of the present heightened concern round viruses there is no such thing as a danger to rooster meat or eggs and no want for public alarm."

Mike Tildesley, professor in infectious illness modelling on the College of Warwick, U.Ok., stated in a press release: "That is clearly going to be large information however the important thing factor is that human infections with H5N1 are actually uncommon and so they virtually all the time happen because of direct, long run contact with poultry.

"There has by no means been any proof of sustained human to human transmission of H5N1 so at current I would not contemplate this to be a major public well being danger."

Testing for Avian Flu
A inventory picture of birds being examined for avian flu. UK authorities have found a uncommon case of avian flu in a human. Merrimon/Getty