Animal Plant Health Agency
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
- Wild mammals
- Bird flu webinars
- Defra policies and contingency plans
- Bird flu legislation
Latest situation
Take action to prevent bird flu and stop it spreading and be vigilant for signs of disease to keep your birds safe.
In the United Kingdom, the following number of cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have been confirmed since 1 October 2023:
- 4 cases in England (298 since October 2021)
- 2 cases in Scotland (51 since October 2021)
- 0 cases in Wales (15 since October 2021)
- 0 cases in Northern Ireland (7 since October 2021)
There was one confirmed case of low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) H7N3. This case was confirmed in Scotland on 20 March 2023.
Update 3 April
The UK has self-declared zonal freedom from highly pathogenic avian influenza for Great Britain with effect from 29 March 2024. This is in line with World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) rules.
The declaration is being reviewed and will be published by WOAH shortly. This follows Northern Ireland declaring itself free on 31 March 2023.
The UK does not currently have outbreaks of HPAI in poultry or other captive birds. The current risk to poultry from HPAI H5 in Great Britain is low. However, HPAI H5N1 continues to be found in wild birds in Great Britain and across Europe with outbreaks occurring in poultry and other captive birds in several countries in Europe.
Keepers should remain vigilant and practice stringent biosecurity to protect the health and welfare of their birds. Find out how to protect your birds in our biosecurity guidance.
New registration requirements for bird keepers in Great Britain
On 19 March the government announced new measures to help protect the poultry sector from bird flu.
All bird flu cases and disease control zones
There are no current disease control zones in England.
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:
- spot and report bird flu in poultry and other captive birds
- report dead wild birds
- prevent bird flu and stop it spreading
- follow the rules in disease zones
- check if you need a movement licence and how to apply
- house your birds safely
- follow the rules if you keep racing pigeons, birds of prey and other captive birds
You can read guidance about:
- how to keep other pets safe from bird flu, such as cats and dogs
- how bird flu spreads in wild birds and wild mammals, and how the government monitors it
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 Scotland are permitted to attend galliforme gatherings in England from 5 February 2024. Galliforme birds from premises located in Wales are not permitted to attend galliforme gatherings in England.
Galliforme birds from premises located Wales are permitted to attend galliforme gatherings in England from 16 February 2024.
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.
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.
Risk levels and outbreak assessments
The risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5 in wild birds in Great Britain is assessed as low (event is rare but does occur).
The risk of poultry exposure to HPAI H5 in Great Britain is assessed as:
- low (event is rare but does occur) (with medium 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: