Bird flu has been found in a sheep in northern England, marking the first known case of this kind globally. The British government announced this development, raising concerns about the spread of the disease among mammals and the potential for a pandemic.
The H5N1 bird flu virus has already caused deaths in various mammals worldwide, including bears, cats, dogs, and even dolphins. This latest case was discovered during routine checks on livestock in Yorkshire, where bird flu had previously been confirmed in other birds.
The infected sheep was a ewe showing signs of mastitis, which is an inflammation of the breast tissue. Notably, the ewe’s milk also tested positive for the virus. Experts have drawn parallels between this case and an ongoing outbreak of H5N1 among dairy cows in the United States, which has been spreading since March 2024.
Despite these findings, experts like Ed Hutchinson from the University of Glasgow have noted that there is currently no evidence of the virus spreading from the sheep to other animals or to humans. The infected ewe was culled, and no further cases were found in the rest of the flock.
In response to the situation, Britain’s rural affairs ministry has ramped up surveillance on farms where bird flu has been detected. Dr. Meera Chand from the UK Health Security Agency emphasized that while mammals can contract avian influenza, the current strains do not spread easily to humans. Therefore, the risk to the general public remains low.
As this situation unfolds, authorities are closely monitoring the developments to ensure public safety and manage the health of livestock.