The United Kingdom has recorded an unexpected summer surge of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian-influenza outbreaks, with ten commercial farms reporting infections in the past fortnight, according to a review of official notifications cited by the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy. The two most recent cases were confirmed in East and West Devon, reversing a five-week lull that had prompted officials to lower the threat level for farmers earlier in the season. Trade repercussions are spreading. China’s General Administration of Customs has halted all direct and indirect imports of Spanish poultry and related products effective 7 August after Spain reported several high-pathogenic bird-flu incidents across the peninsula. Beijing said the measure, which echoes similar restrictions imposed on Brazilian chicken in May, is aimed at preventing the virus from entering its domestic flock; no end date was given. Researchers have meanwhile documented what they describe as the first suspected detections of H5-series avian influenza in Antarctic seabirds, raising concern that the virus is encroaching on one of the few regions previously considered free of the pathogen. The finding could threaten vulnerable bird species that have little prior exposure to influenza viruses. Health authorities in Ireland, Taiwan, Canada and Cambodia have also logged new poultry outbreaks in recent weeks, underscoring the continued global circulation of H5N1. Veterinary agencies are urging producers to reinforce biosecurity, while scientists monitor for further evidence of cross-species transmission and geographic spread.