Bird Flu Cases on the Rise in Scotland with Three New Confirmations

Scotland has experienced an increase in avian influenza cases, with three new instances confirmed in Aberdeenshire and Dumfries and Galloway. The H5N1 subtype of bird flu was identified at two pheasant farms near Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, and another premise near Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway. In response, the Scottish government established a 3km Protection Zone and a 10km Surveillance Zone around the affected areas, imposing movement restrictions to curb the disease’s spread. Following several confirmed cases across the UK since 2021, Dr. Christine Middlemiss, the UK’s chief veterinary officer, emphasized the importance of strict biosecurity measures.