New Case in England

Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been confirmed at a commercial poultry premises near Pickering, Thirsk and Malton, Yorkshire. A 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone have been put in place around the premises.

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15/02/26: New Case in England

Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been confirmed in other captive birds at a premises near Ancroft, Northumberland. A 3km Captive Bird (Monitoring) Controlled Zone has been put in place around the premises.

Mandatory Housing Measures

An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) with mandatory housing measures is now in place in England and Wales and an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) with mandatory biosecurity measures is also in force across Great Britain. All keepers of over 50 birds in England and Wales must house their birds and continue to follow stringent biosecurity measures. Please check GOV.UK for the latest information. Please also check the disease control zones on the avian influenza interactive map to see what restrictions are in place.

Interactive Map

Keepers can check if they are in a bird flu disease control zone using the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s (APHA) interactive map. Further information on the measures that apply in the zones can be found in Defra’s Bird flu: rules in disease control zones in England guidance and the zone declaration available via the notifiable disease case finder. Disease control zones will remain in place until all disease control and surveillance activities in the zones have been successfully completed and there are no suspect cases are under investigation in the zones.

Keepers must keep a close watch on their birds and kept mammals (including pets) for any signs of disease, and seek prompt advice from a vet if they have any concerns. You can find further information on how to spot and report bird flu in poultry and other captive birds and how to keep other pets, such as cats and dogs, safe from bird flu.

Clinical signs indicative of infection with an avian influenza virus must be reported in England to Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301. In Wales, contact 0300 303 8268. In Scotland, contact to the local Field Services Office. Failure to do so is an offence.

All bird keepers must register their poultry and other captive birds (with the exception of certain psittacines and passerines), even if only kept as pets. Registered keepers will receive regular updates and guidance to help protect their birds from avian influenza. In addition, anyone can subscribe to APHA’s free animal disease alerts service for the latest information on updated risk levels, guidance and new cases in Great Britain regardless of whether they keep birds.

In Great Britain members of the public are encouraged to report findings of dead wild birds using the online reporting system or by calling the Defra helpline (03459 33 55 77). By reporting dead wild birds, you are helping Defra and APHA understand, the risk to different species groups of wild birds, the risk posed to poultry & other captive birds and the risk of overspill into mammals.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said that avian influenza is primarily a disease of birds and the risk to the general public’s health is very low. Do not touch any dead or sick wild birds you find. The Food Standards Agency advises that avian influenzas pose a very low food safety risk for UK consumers. Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.

The latest information and guidance on bird flu can be found at gov.uk/birdflu 

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13/02/26: New Case in Scotland

Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been confirmed at a second premises near Penicuik, Midlothian. A 3km Protection Zone has been put in place around the premises. 

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02/02/26: New Case in England

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been confirmed in a small poultry flock near Needham Market, Mid Suffolk, Suffolk. A 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone have been put in place around the premises.

[Individual case updates before this date have been removed to keep the length of this article down]