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. If you suspect any type of avian influenza 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.
You can sign up to our alerts service to keep up to date with the latest news. You can also get Defra email alerts or subscribe to Defras RSS feed by copying and pasting this RSS feed URL into your feed reader.
Latest situation
Update 26 August
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed on 21 July 2022 in commercial poultry at a premises near Dartington, South Hams, Devon. All poultry on the premises have been humanely culled. Following successful completion of disease control activity and surveillance in the Zone, the Protection Zone has ended and the area that formed that Protection Zone has become part of the 10km Surveillance Zone.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was suspected in commercial poultry on 26 August at a third premises near Cullompton, Mid Devon, Devon. A 3km and 10km Temporary Control Zone has been declared and all poultry will be humanely culled.
Details of the measures in these zones can be found in the cases and disease control zones in England guidance.
The Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) for poultry and captive birds, introduced to help stop the spread of avian influenza (bird flu) has been lifted.
The enhanced biosecurity measures were brought in across Great Britain in November when there was a medium risk (meaning, event occurs regularly) for some poultry premises. The measures have been vital in protecting flocks across the country from the virus which is circulating in wild birds.
The risk of avian influenza has now reduced to low (meaning, event is rare but does occur) for all poultry. As a result, the mandatory requirements were lifted from midday on Tuesday 16 August.
Whilst the risk level in kept birds has reduced, all bird keepers should still follow enhanced biosecurity measures at all times to prevent the risk of future outbreaks.
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.
Additional mandatory restrictions apply in disease control zones in force surrounding infected premises where avian influenza has been confirmed in poultry or other captive birds.
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.
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 Zone
The Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) for poultry and captive birds, introduced across Great Britain to help stop the spread of avian influenza (bird flu), was lifted at midday on 16 August 2022.
Separate AIPZ declarations were made in each UK administration. For further details in:
- England - see the AIPZ in England section below
- Scotland - see the Scottish Government website
- Wales - see the Welsh Government website
- Northern Ireland see the DAERA website
AIPZ in England
The Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) for poultry and captive birds, introduced in England to help stop the spread of avian influenza (bird flu), was lifted at midday on 16 August 2022.
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