Could the climate crisis be worsening bird flu outbreaks?

Experts are considering whether rising temperatures could lead to more infections, writes Zoe Tidman

Defra officials dispose of culled ducks at a farm near Nafferton, East Yorkshire, where a strain of bird flu has been confirmed (Getty)

As if the Covid pandemic weren’t enough, Britain is also dealing with its largest-ever outbreak of bird flu – including a “very rare” case detected in a human.

Avian influenza has been detected at more than 60 premises over the past few months, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

It has been just a year since Britain saw its previous largest outbreak involving 26 cases between late 2020 and early 2021.