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Bird flu (avian influenza): latest situation in England

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Latest situation

Check the interactive map to see if you are in an area 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.

Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ)

England is in an avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ) with mandatory biosecurity measures.

Until 00:01 on the 22 May 2025 (with a transition period in effect from 00:01 on the 15 May 2025), mandatory housing measures also apply in:

Cheshire, City of Kingston Upon Hull, County Durham, Cumbria, East Riding of Yorkshire, Herefordshire, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, Merseyside, Norfolk, North Yorkshire, Northumberland, Shropshire, Suffolk, Tyne and Wear, Worcestershire, York.

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.

14 May 2025

Following the successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance within the zone surrounding the sixth premises near Thirsk, Thirsk & Malton, Yorkshire (AIV 2025/42), the 10km surveillance zone has been revoked.

13 May 2025

Following the successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance within the zone surrounding the premises near Stanhope, Bishop Auckland, County Durham (AIV 2025/39), the 10km surveillance zone has been revoked.

12 May 2025

Following ongoing monitoring using the latest scientific evidence and risk assessment, bird flu risk levels have been reduced.

Therefore, mandatory housing measures for poultry and captive birds will start to be lifted across England from 00:01 on Thursday 15 May 2025 and birds can be kept outside unless they are in a Protection Zone or Captive Bird Monitoring (Controlled) Zone. Mandatory stringent biosecurity measures will remain in place nationwide.

As birds may have been housed for several months, there will be a 7 day transition period from 00:01 15 May 2025 until 00:01 22 May 2025 during which, where necessary, previously housed birds must be released gradually to minimise welfare issues.

Poultry keepers who intend to allow their birds outside are advised to use the upcoming days to prepare their outside areas for the safe release of their birds. This will include cleansing and disinfection of hard surfaces, fencing off ponds or standing water and reintroduction of wild bird deterrents. 

The Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) mandating strict biosecurity will remain in place in England, Scotland and Wales. Bird gatherings also remain banned.

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.

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.

Additional measures apply in disease control zones surrounding infected premises where HPAI has been confirmed in poultry or other captive birds. 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.

All bird flu cases and disease control zones

The first case of HPAI H5N1 of the current outbreak was confirmed in:

  • England on 17 November 2024
  • Scotland on 10 January 2025
  • Northern Ireland on 12 February 2025

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.

HPAI H5N5 HPAI H5N1
England 1 56
Scotland 0 2
Wales 0 0
Northern Ireland 0 4
Total 1 62

Overall total: 63

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:

Find out when game birds are kept or wild and the rules you need to follow if you keep, release or catch them up.

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:

  • medium (event occurs regularly) (with high uncertainty) where there is suboptimal or poor biosecurity
  • low (event is rare but does occur) (with high uncertainty) where stringent biosecurity is consistently applied at all times

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 Wales explains 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: 

  • suspect the presence of influenza of avian origin 
  • detect evidence of influenza A virus or antibodies to influenza A virus 

Report it immediately by calling: 

  • 03000 200 301 if you’re in England 
  • 03003 038 268 if you’re in Wales 
  • your local Field Services Office if you’re in Scotland 

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.

Image on this page shows a group of ducks flying. Credit: Jari Hytönen.

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Animal and Plant Health Agency
GOV.UK
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
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Published: November 4, 2022 00:11

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