Read our latest blog on the avian influenza outbreak

As part of our role in protecting health, Public Health Scotland supports the management of zoonotic disease outbreaks such as avian influenza, also known as avian flu or bird flu.

Our latest blog, ‘Flockdown’: the bigger picture of bird flu, discusses the importance of monitoring the outbreak to keep both people and birds safe, as well as the measures in place to do this.

The very widespread outbreak of avian flu across the UK, and much of Europe, through the autumn and winter 2021-22 is the largest seen so far and it is still going on. Despite all of the activity in place to control avian flu, there are ongoing cases throughout the UK in both domestic and wild birds. The risk to the public from the circulating strains of avian flu is very low.

People are reminded not to touch any sick or dead birds and instead report these to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77.