GovWire

Bird flu (avian influenza): latest situation in England

Animal Plant Health Agency

September 13
11:14 2023

Contents:

Latest situation

Take action to prevent bird flu and stop it spreading and be vigilant for signs of disease to keep your birds safe from avian influenza.

In the United Kingdom, there have been 204 confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 since 1 October 2022:

  • 160 cases in England
  • 35 cases in Scotland
  • 8 cases in Wales
  • 1 case in Northern Ireland

There have been 294 cases of (HPAI)H5N1 in England since the H5N1 outbreak started in October 2021.

In the United Kingdom, there has been 1 confirmed case of low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) H7N3 since 1 October 2022. This case was confirmed in Scotland on 20 March 2023.

If youre 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.

Update 8 September

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry on 8 September 2023 at a premises near Warrington, South Warrington, Cheshire (AIV 2023/49). A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone has been declared around the premises.

Update 7 September

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry on 7 September 2023 at a premises near Uttoxeter, East Staffordshire, Staffordshire (AIV 2023/48). A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone has been declared around the premises.

Bird gatherings

From 23 August 2023 gatherings of galliforme poultry and galliforme birds including gatherings of chickens, turkeys, pheasants, partridge, quail and guinea fowl are permitted. You need to follow the requirements of the poultry gathering general licence and notify the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) at least 7 days before the event.

Gatherings of anseriforme poultry and anseriforme birds including ducks, geese and swans are not permitted.

These changes only apply to gatherings of galliforme poultry and galliforme birds held in England. Galliforme birds from premises located in Wales and Scotland are not permitted to attend galliforme gatherings in England.

You can read the risk assessment on the likelihood of spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 associated with bird fairs, shows, markets, sales and other gatherings.

All bird flu cases and disease control zones

Find details of all bird flu cases and disease zones in England.

Find details of bird flu cases in Scotland, cases in Wales and cases in Northern Ireland.

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 how to keep other pets safe from bird flu, such as cats and dogs.

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.

Latest GOV.UK news stories

Bird keepers must maintain scrupulous biosecurity standards as housing measures set to be lifted.

Consultation launched on new registration rules for all bird keepers in Great Britain.

New package of measures announced to support poultry industry with bird flu.

Risk levels and outbreak assessments

The risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5 in wild birds in Great Britain is assessed as high (the event occurs very often).

The risk of poultry exposure to HPAI H5 in Great Britain is assessed as:

  • low (event is rare but does occur) (with high uncertainty) where there are substantial biosecurity breaches and poor biosecurity
  • low (event is rare but does occur) (with low uncertainty) where good biosecurity is applied

Find details of the evidence that supported these decisions in the:

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