Latest news with #Animal&PlantHealthAgency
The Sun
24-04-2025
- Science
- The Sun
Chilling Asian Hornet warning as 1st nest of killer insect embryos found in UK this year
KILLER insect embryos have been discovered in the UK for the first time this year, according to experts. The ruthless species, also known as the yellow-legged hornet, can spell disaster for pollinators such as honey bees. 2 Originating in south east Asia, the invasive hornets made its way to Europe as a stowaway and quickly became established. The embryo nest found this month, contained one queen who was preparing to multiply, was found in Langley, Kent on April 16 this year. She was the seventh queen found this year on the mainland but the first to be discovered with a nest. Last year, a total of 24 nests were found, destroyed and taken to a laboratory - where scientists studied the contents to learn more about the insects. Asian hornet queens can hibernate overwinter in the UK before emerging in the spring to lay eggs. Spring is a crucial time for the Animal and Plant Health Agency's National Bee Unit, who attempt to disrupt their breeding cycle before they can become a bigger threat. A full nest can eat 11 kilos of bugs per season - an equivalent of 50 bees per hornet per day. So far this year, queens have been found in Kent, East Sussex, Shropshire and Hampshire, according to official data, with the first captured in Shropshire in January. Jersey in the Channel Islands has also seen a significant number of queen sightings this year. Members of the public can report sightings of the hornets, which are smaller than their European cousins and have distinctive yellow legs, on the Asian Hornet Watch app and online. How asian hornets are taking over the UK Experts believe it is thanks to members of the public that they have been able to find and destroy queens sooner. Kate Wilson, Head of the Animal & Plant Health Agency's National Bee Unit, said: 'Yellow-legged hornets cause significant damage to native pollinators, including our much-loved honey bees. 'That's why APHA's National Bee Unit continues to take swift and effective action to stamp out the threat posed by yellow-legged hornets, all as part of ongoing monitoring and surveillance work to protect our pollinators. 'Thanks to increasing reports to the Asian Hornet Watch app and online, it is not unexpected that sightings may occur earlier in the year. 'We encourage the public to remain vigilant and continue to report any potential sightings to us.'
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Bird flu found again in seals at east coast colony
Bird flu has been found in seals at one of England's best-known colonies for the second time in recent months, scientists have said. The virus has been detected in 15 dead seals during recent testing at Blakeney Point, Norfolk, government figures show. More tests were carried out by staff from the "avian influenza national reference laboratory" after two grey seals tested positive Blakeney Point in February. Results released by the Animal & Plant Health Agency and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) show that more that 15 out of 40 seal carcasses tested were positive. Detail was given in a government statement posted online. Scientists said they could not be sure that bird flu had been the "sole cause of death". "A total of 40 seal carcasses were sampled from the site and from that 37.5% (15) tested positive," said the statement. "We cannot determine with certainty whether influenza of avian origin was the sole cause of death in these wild animals, and it is possible other factors may have contributed." The statement said findings had been reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). Bird flu, also known as avian influenza or H5N1, is a disease caused by a virus that infects birds and sometimes other animals. Recently, the world's first case of bird flu in sheep was found in Yorkshire. Government officials say there have been a "small number" of cases in humans in the UK since 2021. Defra says 1.78 million farmed and captive birds were culled between November and February due to the spread of the disease across the UK. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. First case of bird flu in sheep found on UK farm Bird flu in seals a first at National Trust site Should I worry about a bird flu pandemic? Animal & Plant Health Agency Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Bird flu found again in seals at east coast colony
Bird flu has been found in seals at one of England's best-known colonies for the second time in recent months, scientists have said. The virus has been detected in 15 dead seals during recent testing at Blakeney Point, Norfolk, government figures show. More tests were carried out by staff from the "avian influenza national reference laboratory" after two grey seals tested positive Blakeney Point in February. Results released by the Animal & Plant Health Agency and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) show that more that 15 out of 40 seal carcasses tested were positive. Detail was given in a government statement posted online. Scientists said they could not be sure that bird flu had been the "sole cause of death". "A total of 40 seal carcasses were sampled from the site and from that 37.5% (15) tested positive," said the statement. "We cannot determine with certainty whether influenza of avian origin was the sole cause of death in these wild animals, and it is possible other factors may have contributed." The statement said findings had been reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). Bird flu, also known as avian influenza or H5N1, is a disease caused by a virus that infects birds and sometimes other animals. Recently, the world's first case of bird flu in sheep was found in Yorkshire. Government officials say there have been a "small number" of cases in humans in the UK since 2021. Defra says 1.78 million farmed and captive birds were culled between November and February due to the spread of the disease across the UK. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. First case of bird flu in sheep found on UK farm Bird flu in seals a first at National Trust site Should I worry about a bird flu pandemic? Animal & Plant Health Agency Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
BBC News
29-03-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Bird flu again found in seals at Blakeney Point
Bird flu has been found in seals at one of England's best-known colonies for the second time in recent months, scientists have virus has been detected in 15 dead seals during recent testing at Blakeney Point, Norfolk, government figures tests were carried out by staff from the "avian influenza national reference laboratory" after two grey seals tested positive Blakeney Point in released by the Animal & Plant Health Agency and the Departmentfor Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) show that more that 15 out of 40 seal carcasses tested were positive. Detail was given in a government statement posted said they could not be sure that bird flu had been the "sole cause of death"."A total of 40 seal carcasses were sampled from the site and from that 37.5% (15) tested positive," said the statement."We cannot determine with certainty whether influenza of avian origin was the sole cause of death in these wild animals, and it is possible other factors may have contributed."The statement said findings had been reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). Bird flu, also known as avian influenza or H5N1, is a disease caused by a virus that infects birds and sometimes other the world's first case of bird flu in sheep was found in officials say there have been a "small number" of cases in humans in the UK since says 1.78 million farmed and captive birds were culled between November and February due to the spread of the disease across the UK. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
