Animal Plant Health Agency
Avian influenza (bird flu) mainly affects birds. It can also affect humans and other mammals.
Avian influenza (bird flu) is a notifiable animal disease.
Reporting suspected bird flu in poultry or captive birds
If you suspect any type of bird flu in poultry or captive birds you must report it immediately by calling the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301. In Wales, contact 0300 303 8268. In Scotland, contact your local Field Services Office. Failure to do so is an offence.
Reporting dead wild birds
You should call the Defra helpline (03459 33 55 77) if you find:
- one or more dead bird of prey or owl
- 3 or more dead gulls or wild waterfowl (swans, geese and ducks)
- 5 or more dead birds of any species
Do not touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds that you find. For further information see our advice to the public.
All bird keepers (whether you have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock) must keep a close watch on them for signs of disease and maintain good biosecurity at all times. If you have any concerns about the health of your birds, seek prompt advice from your vet.
You should register your poultry, even if only kept as pets, so we can contact you during an outbreak. This is a legal requirement if you have 50 or more birds. Poultry includes chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, pigeon (bred for meat), partridge, quail, guinea fowl and pheasants.
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Latest situation
There have been 74 confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in England since 1 October 2022. There have been 208 cases of HPAI H5N1 in England since the H5N1 outbreak started on 27 October 2021.
Update 27 October
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry on 27 October at a premises near Waltham on the Wolds, Melton, Leicestershire. A 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone were declared around the premises. All poultry on the premises will be humanely culled.
Update 26 October
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry on 26 October at the following premises. A 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone have been declared surrounding each of the premises. All poultry on the premises will be humanely culled.
- third premises near North Somercotes, East Lindsey, Lincolnshire
- ninth premises near Dereham, Breckland, Norfolk
- near Stalham, North Norfolk, Norfolk
- eighth premises near Dereham, Breckland, Norfolk
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in a small flock of non-commercial poultry on 26 October at a premises near Much Hoole, South Ribble, Lancashire. A 3km Captive Bird (Monitoring) Controlled Zone has been declared around the premises. All birds on the premises will be humanely culled.
For details of the cases and the measures that apply in the disease control zones in England, see the avian influenza: cases and disease control zones in England guidance. You can also find out about licences for movements from disease control zones in force.
All poultry gatherings, including at fairs, shows and markets, remain banned, due to a large number of flocks mixing together and the risk posed by any infections spreading across the country.
Stop the spread webinars
While the risk of avian influenza has reduced, cases of bird flu continue to be confirmed in both poultry and other captive birds. All bird keepers should continue to implement strict biosecurity measures to limit the spread of and eradicate the disease from poultry and other captive birds.
Whether you have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock, you can find out what you can do to keep your birds free of avian influenza by watching one our avian influenza stop the spread webinars.
Avian Influenza Prevention Zones
Following a change in the risk levels and an increase in the number of detections of avian influenza (bird flu) in kept and wild birds, the Chief Veterinary Officers from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have declared a UK wide Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) to mitigate the risk of the disease spreading amongst poultry and captive birds.
This means that from midday on Monday 17 October, it will be a legal requirement for all bird keepers in the UK to follow strict biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks from the threat of avian flu. Separate AIPZ declarations are available for each UK administration.
To help bird keepers comply with the rules, weve updated the biosecurity advice.
For further details in:
- Scotland - go to the Scottish Government website
- Wales - go to the Welsh Government website
- Northern Ireland go to the DAERA website
England AIPZ reviews
The need for further regional of England wide Avian Influenza Prevention Zones (AIPZs) will be kept under regular review as part of the governments work to monitor and manage the risks of avian influenza.
Any decisions on when to reintroduce a national zone with housing measures or regional?AIPZ?will be based on risk assessments based on the latest scientific and ornithological evidence and veterinary advice.
Enforcement
Avian influenza controls, are enforced by the Local Authority Animal Health Function (LAAHF), which is normally situated with the Trading Standards or Environmental Health Service of a local authority.
You should contact your local authority to find out how to raise reports of non-compliance. If you need help with this you can ask your local council.
Risk level
The risk of incursion of highly pathogenic (HPAI) avian influenza H5 in wild birds in Great Britain is now high (with low uncertainty) (that is, event occurs regularly). The risk to poultry with stringent biosecurity is increased to medium (with high uncertainty). However, the risk to poultry exposure toHPAIH5 in Great Britain with suboptimal biosecurity has been increased to high (with low