Rare Case of Bird Flu A(H5N1) Confirmed in the West Midlands

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) today announced a confirmed case of influenza A(H5N1) in a person in the West Midlands region of Enhland.

The person acquired the infection on a farm, where they had close and prolonged contact with many infected birds. The birds were infected with the DI.2 genotype, one of the viruses circulating in birds in the UK this season.

As of January 27, 2025, the individual was admitted to a High Consequence Infectious Disease unit.

Despite extensive recent surveillance, no human-to-human transmission has been demonstrated. Therefore, the UKHSA has been tracing all individuals in contact with the confirmed case of avian influenza. 

The first confirmed human case of A(H5N1) in England was in January 2022.

The UKHSA says the risk to the broader public remains very low in late January 2025.

In a press release, Minister for Public Health and Prevention Andrew Gwynne commented, "We recently added the H5 vaccine, which protects (people) against avian influenza, to our stockpile as part of our preparedness plans."

This person was infected with a different H5N1 strain circulating among mammals and birds in the United States.

The U.S. government has invested in avian influenza vaccines for people in the past few years.