Bird flu detected in sheep in Yorkshire

We're hearing bird flu's been detected in sheep on a Yorkshire farm.

The Government's not told us where exactly - but does say the case was identified during routine surveillance on a premises in the region where avian influenza had been confirmed in captive birds.

It's the first time the strain, called H5N1, has been found in sheep in England.

The ewe tested positive for H5 antibodies in the blood.

The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs confirmed all affected birds and the infected ewe were humanely culled to mitigate the risk of further disease spread.

Further official testing of the remaining flock of sheep at the premises, including the lambs of the affected ewe, were negative for the presence of avian influenza virus.

While this is the first time avian influenza virus has been detected in a sheep, it is not the first time influenza of avian origin has been detected in livestock in other countries.

There is no evidence to suggest an increased risk to the nation’s livestock population.

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