GovWire

Contents:

• Latest situation
• All bird flu cases and disease zones
• Bird flu guidance
• Vaccines
• Latest GOV.UK news stories
• Risk levels
• Wild birds
• Bird flu webinars
• Defra policies and contingency plans
• Bird flu legislation

Latest situation

In the United Kingdom, there have been 148 confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 since 1 October 2022:

• 132 cases in England
• 12 cases in Scotland
• 3 cases in Wales
• 1 case in Northern Ireland

There have been 266 cases of (HPAI)H5N1 in England since the H5N1 outbreak started in October 2021.

If youre in a bird flu disease 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 20 December

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in a mixed flock of captive birds on 10 October 2022 at a second premises near Mundford, Breckland, Norfolk (AIV 2022/103). Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance in the zone, the captive bird (monitoring) controlled zone has been revoked.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry on 8 October 2022 at a second premises near Heybridge, Maldon, Essex (AIV 2022/98). Following successful completion of disease control activity and surveillance in the zone, the 3km protection zone has ended and the area that formed the zone becomes part of the surveillance zone.

Update 17 December

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was suspected in commercial poultry on 17 December 2022 at a premises near Diss, South Norfolk, Norfolk. A 3km temporary control zone A and 10km temporary control zone B was declared around the premises. All poultry on the premises will be humanely culled.

All bird flu cases and disease 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:

• 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
• house your birds safely

Find out about when game birds are kept or wild and the rules you need to follow if you keep them.

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

Mandatory housing measures for all poultry and captive birds are now in force across England.

Find details of the measures that apply in England: AIPZ declaration including housing measures.

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

Risk levels

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

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

• high (event occurs very often) (with low uncertainty) where there are substantial biosecurity breaches and poor biosecurity
• medium (event occurs regularly) (with high uncertainty) where good biosecurity is applied

Find details of the evidence that supported these decisions in the risk and outbreak assessments.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) advise that bird flu is primarily a disease of birds and the risk to the general publics health is very low.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has said bird flu poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers. Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.

Wild birds

Defra?has set out practical information to support land managers, the public and ornithological and environmental organisations in their response to the growing threat of bird flu.

The mitigation strategy for avian influenza in wild birds in England and Wales explains how these groups, together with the government and its delivery partners, can reduce the impact on wild bird populations whilst protecting public health, the wider environment and the rural economy.

Landowners, local authorities and other organisations can download and print bird flu posters to display on site when there is a risk of bird flu or if bird flu has been detected in the area.

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