Bird flu (avian influenza): latest situation in England
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Published 4 November 2022 Last updated 1 April 2025 — See all
updates 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
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Published 4 November 2022 Last updated 1 April 2025 — See all updates Contents:
Latest situation Check the interactive map to see if you are in an area now covered by mandatory housing measures and the AIPZ declaration for further details of the measures which apply. Take action to prevent bird flu and stop it spreading. Be vigilant for signs of disease and report it to keep your birds safe. 1 April 2025 Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance within the zones surrounding the premises near Driffield, East Riding of Yorkshire, Yorkshire (AIV 2025/25), the 3km protection zone has ended and the area becomes part of the 10km surveillance zone surrounding this premises. 30 March 2025 Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry at a premises near Pickering, Thirsk and Malton, North Yorkshire. A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been declared surrounding the premises. All affected birds on the premises will be humanely culled. 29 March 2025 Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in poultry at a premises near Lazonby, Westmorland and Furness, Cumbria (AIV 2025/35). A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been declared surrounding the premises. All affected birds on the premises will be humanely culled. HPAI H5N1 was confirmed in poultry and other captive birds at a premises near Romsey, Test Valley, Hampshire (AIV 2025/36). A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone has been declared surrounding the premises. All affected birds on the premises will be humanely culled. 28 March 2025 HPAI H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry at a premises near Wymondham, Diss, Norfolk (AIV 2025/33). A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been declared surrounding the premises. All poultry on the premises will be humanely culled. Following official testing, HPAI H5N1 has been confirmed in poultry and other captive birds at a second premises near Blaydon, Blaydon and Consett, Durham (AIV 2025/34 formerly AIV SOS 2025/02). All poultry and captive birds on the premises will be humanely culled. The 3km and 10km area surrounding this premise fully overlap the 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance in force surrounding premises AIV 2025/31, so no additional zone will be put in place for AIV2025/34). Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance within the zones surrounding the premises near Malpas, Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire (AIV 2025/24), the 3km protection zone has ended and the area becomes part of the 10km surveillance zone surrounding this premises. Whilst this premises is in England part of the protection zone and surveillance zone extends into Wales, equivalent changes to the zones have been made by the Welsh Government. Further details can be found in their declaration. 27 March 2025 Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry at a fourth premises near Thirsk, Thirsk and Malton, North Yorkshire (AIV 2025/32). A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone has been declared around the premises. All poultry on the premises will be humanely culled. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was suspected in poultry and captive birds at a second premises near Blaydon, Blaydon and Consett, Durham (AIV SOS 2025/02). All poultry and captive birds on the premises will be humanely culled. Following the successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance within the zone surrounding the premises near Teignmouth, Teignbridge, Devon (AIV 2025/22), the 10km surveillance zone surrounding this premises has been revoked. 26 March 2025 Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in poultry at a premises near Blaydon, Blaydon and Consett, Durham (AIV 2025/31). A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone has been declared around the premises. All poultry on the premises will be humanely culled. 24 March 2025 Influenza of avian origin (H5N1) has been detected in a sheep in England. The case was identified following routine surveillance of farmed livestock on a premises in Yorkshire where highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) had been confirmed in other captive birds. The ewe tested positive for H5 antibodies in the blood, and her milk was positive for H5 RNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The ewe had been showing clinical signs of mastitis. All affected birds and the infected ewe were humanely culled to mitigate the risk of further disease spread. Further official testing of the remaining flock of sheep at the premises, including the lambs of the affected ewe, were negative for the presence of avian influenza virus. While this is the first time avian influenza virus has been detected in a sheep, it is not the first time influenza of avian origin has been detected in livestock in other countries. There is no evidence to suggest an increased risk to the nation's livestock population. The case definition for influenza of avian origin has been updated and provides further guidance on how and when to report suspicion in mammals. Check if you're in a bird flu disease zone on the map. If you're in a bird flu disease control zone you must follow the rules for that zone and check if you need a licence to move poultry, poultry by-products, eggs, material or mammals. Practising good biosecurity at all times protects the health and welfare of your birds and for commercial keepers will help protect your business from HPAI and other diseases. Find out what you can do to prevent bird flu and stop it spreading and how to spot and report it in poultry or other captive birds. Avian influenza prevention zones – how you're affected Cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu) are increasing in both kept poultry and wild birds across multiple areas of Great Britain. To prevent further spread of disease, an avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ) mandating enhanced biosecurity is in force across England. A similar zone is in force in Scotland and Wales. In addition, mandatory housing measures for all kept birds are in force in the East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk and the unitary authorities of Shropshire, York and North Yorkshire. From 00:01 on Sunday 16 February 2025 these mandatory housing measures have been extended to also include Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Cheshire, Merseyside and Lancashire. To find out which measures apply to you and your kept birds, check the interactive map and read the AIPZ declaration schedule relevant to your area. 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. 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:
Whilst there have been no cases of HPAI confirmed in Wales during this outbreak, in line with World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) rules, the UK is no longer free from highly pathogenic avian influenza. 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: 56 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 Risk levels and outbreak assessments The risk of HPAI H5 in wild birds in Great Britain is assessed as very high (event occurs almost certainly). 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. |