Britain increased the risk level of avian influenza to medium from low on Thursday after the virus was detected in a number of wild birds in the country over the autumn, Reuters reported, citing the government in an update posted on its website.

Bird flu, officially called highly pathogenic avian influenza, has increasingly spread to mammals, raising concern of human transmission.

Britain has over the years experienced several bird flu outbreaks, including one in 2021 that was then described as the largest-ever in the country.