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Background information

Any outbreak of animal disease within the UK could have a significant impact on the country’s economy and the ability to trade globally. The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) who work to safeguard animal and plant health for the benefit of people, the environment, and the economy.

One of the things APHA are responsible for is identifying and controlling endemic and exotic diseases and pests in animals, plants and bees, and surveillance of new and emerging pests and diseases.

Notifiable diseases

There are around 40 Notifiable diseases, and the risk likelihood, scale and impact will vary depending on several different factors. They can be:

  • endemic – already present in the UK, such as bovine TB.
  • exotic – not normally present in the UK, such as foot and mouth disease.

Some endemic and exotic diseases are zoonotic which means they can pass between animals and humans, such as rabies.

A full list of notifiable animal diseases is available via the button below.

Notifiable animal diseases

You are legally required to report to APHA if you suspect an animal that may be affected.

Some of the well-known notifiable animal diseases include:

  • Foot and mouth disease is a severe, highly infectious viral disease with significant economic impact, affecting several types of animals including cattle, pigs, sheep, deer, and goats. This is spread easily, for example through direct contact with infected animals, with secretions of infected animals, with products of infected animals (meat, milk, hair), clothing, contact with contaminated equipment, vehicles, and feed. The last major outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in the UK was in 2001, which resulted in the culling of over 6 million animals. Foot and Mouth Disease is a notifiable disease throughout the UK and anyone who suspects disease must immediately report it DEFRA Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301.
  • Avian Influenza (Bird Flu), highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is a severe, highly infectious influenza causing significant morbidity and mortality is susceptible avian species. Avian influenza is primarily a disease of birds, but can be transmissible to humans through prolonged, direct contact with infected birds or contaminated material. The biggest outbreak of Avian Influenza being recorded between 2021 to 2023. Anyone who suspects disease in poultry or captive birds must immediately report it to DEFRA Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301

Local Risk Rating

  • Major outbreak of foot and mouth disease – Very High
  • Major outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza – Very High
  • Major outbreak of African Swine Fever – Very High
  • Major outbreak of African Horse Sickness – Medium
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What does the Local Resilience Forum do to prepare?

Within Hampshire and Isle of Wight we have specific Animal Health arrangements that outline consequence management for a notifiable animal disease outbreak anywhere in the UK. An outbreak may begin in Hampshire and Isle of Wight or could be the result of infection from another part of the UK.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) lead on responding to Notifiable Animal Disease outbreaks in England, with key input from partner agencies and the Local Authority and their Animal Health Function (LA AHF).

Local Authorities have a duty to enforce the disease control rules made under the European Communities Act 1972 and the Animal Health Act 1981 (as amended by the 2002 Act). APHA monitors several outbreaks internationally and publishes outbreak assessments considering the risk posed to UK livestock on GOV.UK.

Associated Risks

  • Food Supply Contamination

 

How can you prepare?

If you own livestock:

  • Register any livestock you own with DEFRA.
  • If an outbreak is declared, follow guidance from the government to protect your livestock and limit the spread.
  • Vaccinate livestock where possible.
  • If you suspect a notifiable disease in your animals, you must report it immediately by calling the DEFRA Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301. Failure to do so is an offence.
  • Sign up to receive the latest news about exotic notifiable disease outbreaks from the APHA subscription service.

APHA Subscription Services

As a member of the public

  • If you suspect a notifiable disease in your animals, you must report it immediately by calling the DEFRA Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301.