An H5N1 first

In a world's first, H5N1 has been detected in a sheep in Yorkshire, England. The virus was detected in a single animal  after routine testing that was carried out because the flock was kept on a site where avian influenza had previously been found in birds. No other sheep in the flock was found to be infected.

The infected animal has since been culled, with the UK’s chief veterinary officer saying strict biosecurity measures have been implemented to prevent the further spread of disease.

H5N1 has also been detected in other animals in the UK. Recently it was detected in seals at one of England's best-known colonies for the second time in recent months.  The virus has been detected in 15 dead seals during recent testing at Blakeney Point, Norfolk, government figures show.