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Bird flu (avian influenza): latest situation in England – uk.gov

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

Global News

Contents:

Latest situation

Take action to prevent bird flu and stop it spreading and be vigilant for signs of disease to keep your birds safe from avian influenza.

In the United Kingdom, the following number of cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have been confirmed since 1 October 2023: 

  • 3 cases in England (297 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.

Check if you’re in a bird flu disease zone on the map.

If you’re in a bird flu disease control 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.

Practicing good biosecurity at all times protects the health and welfare of your birds and for commercial keepers will help protect your business from HPAI and other diseases.

Find out what you can do to prevent bird flu and stop it spreading and how to spot and report suspicion of avian influenza in poultry or other captive birds.

Update 2 January

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry on 27 November 2023 at a premises near Wooler, Berwick-Upon-Tweed, Northumberland (AIV 2023/57). Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance within the zone, the 10km surveillance zone has been revoked.

Update 1 January

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry on 29 November 2023 at a premises near Cranbrook, East Devon, Devon (AIV 2023/58). Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance within the zone, the 10km surveillance zone has been revoked.

All bird flu cases and disease control 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.

You can read guidance about how to keep other pets safe from bird flu, such as cats and dogs.

Bird gatherings

From 23 August 2023 gatherings of galliforme poultry and galliforme birds including gatherings of chickens, turkeys, pheasants, partridge, quail and guinea fowl are permitted. You need to follow the requirements of the poultry gathering general licence and notify the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) at least 7 days before the event.

Gatherings of anseriforme poultry and anseriforme birds including ducks, geese and swans are not permitted.

These changes only apply to gatherings of galliforme poultry and galliforme birds held in England. Galliforme birds from premises located in Wales and Scotland are not permitted to attend galliforme gatherings in England.

You can read the 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 medium (event occurs regularly).

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:

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) advise that bird flu is primarily a disease of birds and the risk to the general public’s 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

Find out how to report dead 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.

Check the:

You can find out about collection thresholds for dead wild birds with suspected bird flu.

Feeding wild birds

You can feed wild birds but always wash your hands with soap and water afterwards. Avoid areas that have premises where poultry or captive birds are kept. Wild birds can spread bird flu to captive birds.

If you’re in an avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ) you cannot feed wild gamebirds within 500m of a premises with more than 500 poultry or captive birds. Check if you’re in a zone on the bird flu zone map and find out more in the guidance on rules if you keep game birds.

If you feed wild birds in your garden, read advice from the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) to keep feeders and water baths clean. This will help to stop bird flu and other diseases spreading between different birds.

The UK Health Security Agency has said that the risk to the public from this bird flu strain is very low. It mainly affects birds.

Do not touch or move any dead or sick wild birds – find out how to report them.

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water if you touch wild bird faeces or feathers. For more advice go to the NHS website.

Wild mammals

Avian influenza (bird flu) viruses can also infect mammals.

Find out how we monitor the risk of  avian influenza infection in  wild mammals.

Our interactive map shows findings of influenza of avian origin in wild mammals in Great Britain.

Influenza of avian origin in mammals is notifiable in both wild and kept mammals. 

You must report it immediately if you examine or inspect any wild or kept mammal, or analyse samples from any wild or kept mammal or mammal carcase and: 

  • suspect the presence of influenza of avian origin 
  • detect evidence of influenza A virus or antibodies to influenza A virus 

Report it immediately by calling: 

  • 03000 200 301 if you’re in England 
  • 03003 038 268 if you’re in Wales 
  • your local Field Services Office if you’re in Scotland 

If you do not report it, you’re breaking the law.

Bird flu webinars

Whether you have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock, the avian influenza ‘stop the spread’ webinars explain what you can do to protect your birds.

Defra policies and contingency plans

Defra controls cases of bird flu by following the:

Bird flu legislation

The legislation in England includes:

For Scotland go to the Scottish Government website.

For Wales go to the Welsh Government website.

For Northern Ireland go to the DAERA-NI website.

Image on this page shows a group of ducks flying. Credit: Jari Hytönen.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

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