Defra Latest Bird flu (avian influenza) in England Update

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) have provided an update on the current situation regarding bird flu (avian influenza) in England, detailing the latest cases, restrictions, and guidance for bird keepers and the public.

Current Cases

• 14 April 2025: Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry at a seventh premises near Thirsk, Thirsk and Malton, Yorkshire (AIV 2025/43). A 3 km protection zone and a 10 km surveillance zone have been declared around the premises.
• 12 April 2025: Following the successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance in the zone around a premise near Wem, North Shropshire, Shropshire (AIV 2025/05), the 3 km protection zone has ended. The area that formed it now becomes part of the 10 km surveillance zone. Although the premises is in England, part of the surveillance zone extends into the Wrexham local authority area of Wales.
• 10 April 2025: The 3 km protection zones surrounding the second and third premises near Thirsk, Thirsk and Malton, North Yorkshire (AIV 2025/28 and AIV 2025/29) have ended following the successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance. These areas now form part of a 10 km surveillance zone.

Restrictions

As the spread of Avian Influenza continues, the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) is reminding its Members that there has been an extension of the mandatory housing order to include Cumbria, County Durham, Northumberland, and Tyne and Wear.

• Enhanced Biosecurity and Housing Measures: From 00:01 on Monday 7 April 2025, the regional Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) mandating enhanced biosecurity and housing for kept birds has been extended to cover Cumbria, County Durham, Northumberland, and Tyne and Wear. This is in addition to the existing measures in Cheshire, City of Kingston Upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, Herefordshire, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, Merseyside, Norfolk, North Yorkshire, Shropshire, Suffolk, Worcestershire, and York.
• England-wide AIPZ: The AIPZ mandating enhanced biosecurity remains in force across England. Bird keepers must check if they are in a bird flu disease control zone and follow the rules for that zone, including obtaining a licence to move poultry, poultry by-products, eggs, material, or mammals if required.

Risk Levels and Outbreak Assessments

The Government continues to monitor and manage the risks of avian influenza through regular reviews of the measures in place. Bird keepers are advised to practice good biosecurity at all times to protect the health and welfare of their birds and, for commercial keepers, to safeguard their businesses from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and other diseases.

Reporting

Bird keepers must remain vigilant for signs of bird flu and report any suspicions immediately. Reporting can be done through the appropriate channels to ensure swift action and containment of any potential outbreaks.

Guidance and Resources

The UK Government provides comprehensive guidance for bird keepers on how to prevent bird flu, stop its spread, and spot and report it in poultry or other captive birds. Bird keepers can check the interactive map to see if they are in an area covered by mandatory housing measures and the AIPZ declaration for further details of the measures that apply.

These measures are essential for protecting birds from avian influenza and will remain in place until further notice. They will be kept under regular review as part of the government's efforts to manage the risks associated with bird flu.

Check the disease control zones on the Government's avian influenza interactive map to see what restrictions are in place and view biosecurity guidance.

Definitive requirements are set out in the published declarations for each disease control zone currently in force. More information is available on GOV.UK.