Written question WQ87917
- Asked by
- Samuel KurtzConservative
- To be answered by
- Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 14 days
Question
What discussions is the Welsh Government having with other UK governments following the discovery of avian flu in a deceased dolphin on a Pembrokeshire beach given the increased risk to mammals?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
The confirmation of HPAI H5N1 in a common dolphin in Pembrokeshire represents one of several findings in dolphins and non-avian wildlife across GB and is evidence of the effectiveness of the UK’s wildlife surveillance system.
The presence of influenza of avian origin in mammals is not new, although it is uncommon, and the risk of the H5N1 strain to non-avian UK wildlife remains low.
In response to the unprecedented global outbreak we have worked closely with the other UK Governments to increase our surveillance of cases in mammals through the UK’s avian influenza national reference laboratory and continue to undertake genome analysis of the virus while keeping a close eye on its spread.