Bird flu (avian influenza): latest situation in England
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Contents: Latest situation All bird flu cases and disease zones
Bird flu guidance Bird gatherings Vaccines Latest GOV.UK news
stories Risk levels and outbreak assessments Wild birds Mammals
Bird flu webinars Defra policies and contingency plans Bird flu
legislation Take action to prevent bird flu and...Request free trial
Contents:
Take action to prevent bird flu and stop it spreading. Be vigilant for signs of disease and report it to keep your birds safe. Check what zone you're in on the bird flu disease zone map. You must:
Latest situation6 August 2025 Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry at a fifth premises near Attleborough, Breckland, Norfolk on 6 August 2025. A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone has been declared around the premises. All poultry on the premises will be humanely culled. 1 August 2025 Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed by the CVO Scotland at a premises near Banff, Aberdeenshire (AIV2025/55). A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone has been declared around the premises. All poultry on the premises will be humanely culled. 31 July 2025 Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in other captive birds at a premises near Yeovil, Yeovil, Somerset (AIV 2025/54). A 3km captive bird (monitoring) controlled zone has been declared surrounding the premises. Avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ): biosecurity measures England is in an AIPZ with mandatory biosecurity measures. Poultry gatherings remain banned. These measures will be in place until further notice. They will be kept under regular review as part of the government's work to monitor and manage the risks of avian influenza. Additional measures apply in disease control zones surrounding infected premises where HPAI has been confirmed in poultry or other captive birds. These measures apply to all bird keepers whether you have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in your garden and are essential to protect your birds from avian influenza. All bird flu cases and disease control zones The first case of HPAI H5N1 of the current outbreak was confirmed in:
In line with World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) rules, Great Britain is no longer free from highly pathogenic avian influenza. On 9 June 2025 the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) approved and published a self-declaration of the recovery of freedom from infection with high pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (HPAI) in poultry for the zone of Northern Ireland. The declaration can be viewed on the WOAH website. Find details of all bird flu cases and disease zones in England. The table below lists the number of confirmed cases of HPAI during the current outbreak.
Overall total: 75 The last outbreak of HPAI in poultry and other captive birds in the UK prior to the outbreak on 5 November 2024 occurred on 14 February 2024. Find details of previous bird flu cases and disease zones in England. Find details of previous bird flu cases in Scotland, cases in Wales and cases in Northern Ireland. Find details and assessments of past outbreaks in Great Britain in the Animal and Plant Health Agency's outbreak epidemiology reports. Bird flu guidance Find out how to:
You can read guidance about:
Bird gatherings From midday on Monday 10 February 2025 bird gatherings of poultry, galliforme or anseriforme birds are banned in England. This includes ducks, geese, swans, pheasants, partridge, quail, chickens, turkeys and guinea fowl. Gatherings of other captive birds will continue to be permitted, providing you follow and meet all the requirements of the captive bird gathering general licence. Vaccines You cannot vaccinate poultry or most captive birds against bird flu in England. You can only vaccinate zoo birds in England if you meet eligibility criteria and get authorisation from APHA. Only zoos or collections holding a current zoo licence can apply for vaccination. Defra continues to invest in bird flu research and monitors the situation globally. We work with the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) to monitor the development of vaccines for birds. Find out more information on avian influenza (bird flu) vaccination and the work of the avian influenza vaccination taskforce. Latest GOV.UK news stories Avian Influenza Housing Measures Extended Poultry Meat Marketing Regulations to be amended to support industry through bird flu outbreaks Risk levels and outbreak assessments The risk of HPAI H5 in wild birds in Great Britain is assessed as high (event occurs very often). The risk of poultry exposure to HPAI H5 in Great Britain is assessed as:
Find details of the evidence that supported these decisions in the:
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) advise that bird flu is primarily a disease of birds and the risk to the general public's health is very low. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has said bird flu poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers. Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat. Wild birds Find out how to report dead wild birds. Defra has set out practical information to support land managers, the public and ornithological and environmental organisations in their response to the growing threat of bird flu. The mitigation strategy for avian influenza in wild birds in England and Walesexplains how these groups, together with the government and its delivery partners, can reduce the impact on wild bird populations whilst protecting public health, the wider environment and the rural economy. Landowners, local authorities and other organisations can download and print bird flu posters to display on site when there is a risk of bird flu or if bird flu has been detected in the area. Check the:
You can find out more about:
Feeding wild birds You can feed wild birds but always wash your hands with soap and water afterwards. Avoid areas that have premises where poultry or captive birds are kept. Wild birds can spread bird flu to captive birds. If you're in an avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ) you cannot feed wild gamebirds within 500m of a premises with more than 500 poultry or captive birds. Check if you're in a zone on the bird flu zone map and find out more in the guidance on rules if you keep game birds. If you feed wild birds in your garden, read advice from the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) to keep feeders and water baths clean. This will help to stop bird flu and other diseases spreading between different birds. The UK Health Security Agency has said that the risk to the public from this bird flu strain is very low. It mainly affects birds. Do not touch or move any dead or sick wild birds – find out how to report them. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water if you touch wild bird faeces or feathers. For more advice go to the NHS website. Mammals Avian influenza (bird flu) viruses can also infect wild and kept mammals. This is known as influenza of avian origin. Find out how we monitor the risk of influenza of avian origin in wild mammals. Check the:
Influenza of avian origin in mammals is notifiable in both wild and kept mammals. You must report it immediately if you examine or inspect any wild or kept mammal, or analyse samples from any wild or kept mammal or mammal carcase and:
Report it immediately by calling:
If you do not report it, you're breaking the law. Bird flu webinars Whether you have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock, the avian influenza ‘stop the spread' webinars explain what you can do to protect your birds. Defra policies and contingency plans Defra controls cases of bird flu by following the:
Bird flu legislation The legislation in England includes:
For Scotland go to the Scottish Government website. For Wales go to the Welsh Government website. For Northern Ireland go to the DAERA-NI website.
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