GovWire

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

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 26 April

From 26 April 2023, gatherings of all poultry and other captive birds, including ducks, geese and swans are permitted. You need to follow therequirements of the poultry gathering general licenceand notify the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) at least 7 days before the event.

Zonal freedom from highly pathogenic avian influenza for Great Britain

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

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
• how bird flu spreads in wild birds and wild mammals, and how the government monitors it

Bird gatherings

From 12.00 on 26 April, gatherings of all types of poultry and other captive birds including gatherings of anseriformes (ducks, geese and swans) are permitted. You need to follow therequirements of the poultry gathering general licenceand notify the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) at least 7 days before the event.

The change has been introduced following a reduction in the wild bird bird risk levels and consequent reduction in risk associated with shows and gatherings.

You can read the updated 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:

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