At least two poultry workers have been infected with bird flu, the UK Health Security Agency said on Tuesday.
According to the Evening Standard, there has been no sign of human-to-human transmission.
However, further reports revealed neither of the cases experienced any symptoms of avian influenza, and both cases have since tested negative.
Since its emergence in 1996, there has only been rare and non-sustained transmission of bird flu to and between humans. More than 130 cases of avian flu have been recorded in mammals since October 2021.
The cases were detected as part of the UKHSA’s asymptomatic surveillance programme, in which poultry workers are asked to take swabs of their nose and throat which are tested for the presence of influenza virus, during the 10 days after their exposure.
The health agency follows up all individuals who have been in contact with a confirmed human case of avian influenza
The Chief Medical Advisor at UKHSA, Professor Susan Hopkins said, “Current evidence suggests that the avian influenza viruses we’re seeing circulating in birds around the world do not spread easily to people.
“However, we know already that the virus can spread to people following close contact with infected birds and this is why, through screening programmes like this one, we are monitoring people who have been exposed to learn more about this risk.
“Globally there is no evidence of spread of this strain from person to person, but we know that viruses evolve all the time and we remain vigilant for any evidence of changing risk to the population.
“It remains critical that people avoid touching sick or dead birds, and that they follow the DEFRA advice about reporting.”
Earlier this year, the UKHSA announced it had created a group of experts to draw up modelling for a possible bird flu pandemic after the death of an 11-year-old girl from the disease.
The death of the unnamed girl in Cambodia was the first known human infection with the H5N1 strain in the country since 2014. The girl lived near a conservation area.
