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Bird flu (avian influenza): latest situation in England

Animal Plant Health Agency

January 10
19:50 2023

Contents:

Latest situation

Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) is in an avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ). By law you must follow strict biosecurity rules to prevent bird flu and stop it spreading.

In England and Wales the AIPZ also means you must house your birds to protect them from bird flu.

In the United Kingdom, there have been 159 confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 since 1 October 2022:

  • 141 cases in England
  • 14 cases in Scotland
  • 3 cases in Wales
  • 1 case in Northern Ireland

There have been 275 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 10 January 2023

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in other captive birds on 10 January 2023 at a premises near Leominster, North Herefordshire, Herefordshire (AIV2023/04). A 3km captive bird (monitoring) controlled zone has been put in place around the premises. All birds on the premises will be humanely culled.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry on 10 January 2023 at a fifth premises near Taverham, Broadland, Norfolk (AIV2023/03). A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place around the premises. All poultry on the premises will be humanely culled.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial housed poultry on 22 October 2022 at a premises near Goole, East Riding of Yorkshire, Yorkshire (AIV 2022/146). Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance within the zones, the 3km protection zone has ended and the 10km surveillance zone has been revoked.

Further update 9 January 2023

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry on 9 January 2023 at a premises near Langwathby, Eden, Cumbria (AIV2023/02). A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place around the premises. All poultry on the premises will be humanely culled.

Update 9 January 2023

The avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ) has been amended. It introduces a new measure for wild game birds caught up during the open season (under the Game Act 1831) - they must not be moved until a minimum of 21 days from the date of catching-up has elapsed.

These measures apply from 12:00 on 9 January 2023 and will remain in force until the declaration is amended or revoked by a further declaration in writing.

Details of the new measures are in the AIPZ declaration.

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:

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

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 and outbreak assessments

The risk 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:

The UK Health Security Agency (

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