What Are the Consequences of a Big Bird Flu Outbreak?

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Investment in animal health has shrunk to virtually nothing. We're not in a position where we can deal with any real big outbreak of disease on top of the extant avian influenza, he says. Farmers are already on the brink with costs. One of these outbreaks really could finish off one of the agricultural sectors in the UK - and it would be a real shame that we lose our high quality, high welfare animal production.

The UK is in the middle of its worst outbreak of bird flu. The current strain of H5N1 avian influenza has devastated wild bird populations, killing thousands and affecting threatened species such as puffins and hen harriers. Bird flu has also been wreaking havoc on poultry, and since 7 November, all captive birds in England have been kept indoors to prevent them catching the virus. How are both wild and captive bird populations coping with the current strain of avian flu? And is the UK prepared to deal with another major animal disease outbreak? Ian Sample speaks with Phoebe Weston, a biodiversity writer for the Guardian, and Paul Wigley, a professor in animal microbial ecosystems at the University of Bristol.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod