News story

Bird flu (avian influenza): latest situation in England

Find out about the latest bird flu situation in England and guidance for bird keepers and the public.

From:
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Animal and Plant Health Agency
Published
4 November 2022
Last updated
14 December 2022 — See all updates
A flock of birds flying over the sea.

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 144 confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 since 1 October 2022:

  • 130 cases in England
  • 10 cases in Scotland
  • 3 cases in Wales
  • 1 case in Northern Ireland

There have been 264 cases of (HPAI) H5N1 in England since the H5N1 outbreak started in October 2021.

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

If you’re 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.

Further Update 1413 December

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry on 1813 SeptemberDecember 2022 at a premises near ClactonMuch Marcle, North Herefordshire, Herefordshire (AIV2022/227). A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place around the premises. All poultry on Sea,the Tendring,premises Essexwill (2022/73).be humanely culled.

Update 13 December

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in poultry at premises near Lowestoft, East Suffolk, Suffolk (AIV 2022/84) on 29 September 2022. Following successful completion of disease control activity and surveillance in the zones,zone, the 3km protection zone has ended and the 10km surveillance zone has been revoked.

Further Update 1311 December

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry on 1311 December 2022 at a second premises near MuchRedgrave, Marcle,Mid NorthSuffolk, Herefordshire,Suffolk Herefordshire(AIV2022/226). (AIV2022/227). 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 13 December

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in poultry at premises near Lowestoft,Audlem, East Suffolk,Cheshire, SuffolkCheshire (AIV 2022/84)2022/128) on 2916 SeptemberOctober 2022. Following successful completion of disease control activity and surveillance in the zone, the 10kmprotection surveillancezones have ended and the area that formed the protection zone hasbecomes part of the surveillance zone. All birds have been revoked.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:

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 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.

Read weekly reports of bird flu cases in wild birds in Great Britain.

Feeding wild birds

You can feed wild birds but avoid areas that have premises where poultry or captive birds are kept. Wild birds can spread bird flu to captive birds.

The UK is in an avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ). This means you cannot feed wild gamebirds within 500m of a premises with more than 500 poultry or captive birds. 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.

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.

Published 4 November 2022
Last updated 14 December 2022 + show all updates

  1. Following successful completion of disease control activity and surveillance at a premises near Clacton on Sea, Tendring, Essex, the 3km protection zone has ended and the 10km surveillance zone has been revoked.

  2. Added a new section about vaccines. Updated the 'Wild birds' section to include information about feeding wild birds.

  3. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 confirmed in commercial poultry at a premises near Much Marcle, North Herefordshire, Herefordshire.

  4. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in poultry at premises near Lowestoft, East Suffolk, Suffolk (AIV 2022/84) on 29 September 2022. Following successful completion of disease control activity and surveillance in the zone, the 10km surveillance zone has been revoked.

  5. Updated with a link to new guidance about reporting dead wild birds.

  6. Updated the latest situation with a new case and a zone merge.

  7. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in poultry at premises near Lowestoft, East Suffolk, Suffolk (AIV 2022/84) on 29 September 2022. Following successful completion of disease control activity and surveillance in the zone, the protection zones have ended and the area that formed the protection zone becomes part of the surveillance zone.

  8. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry on 8 December 2022 at a premises near Redgrave, Mid Suffolk, Suffolk (AIV2022/225). 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 poultry on 4 October 2022 at a premises near Faringdon, Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire (AIV 2022/90). Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance in the zone, the 10km surveillance zone has been revoked.

  9. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in poultry at the following premises: - near Kidsgrove, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire (AIV 2022/88) - near Frome, Mendip, Somerset (AIV 2022/95) Following successful completion of disease control activity and surveillance in the zone, the protection zones have ended and the area that formed the protection zone becomes part of the surveillance zone. All birds have been humanely culled. The Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) with housing measures has been amended to clarify the position on the free flying of certain birds and the release of game birds in an AIPZ with housing measures.

  10. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed at the following premises in other captive birds on 5 December 2022: - near Highclere, Basingstoke& Deane, Hampshire - near Colden Common, Winchester, Hampshire A 3km captive bird (monitoring) controlled zone has been declared around each premises.

  11. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry on 04 October 2022 at a second premises near Hadleigh, Babergh, Suffolk (AIV 2022/89). Following successful completion of disease control activity and surveillance in the zone, the protection zone has ended and the area that formed the protection zone becomes part of the surveillance zone.

  12. Updated the latest situation. In Wales mandatory housing measures are in force - you must house your birds to protect them from bird flu.

  13. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 confirmed in other captive birds on at a premises near Dorchester, West Dorset, Dorset.

  14. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial housed poultry on 12 October 2022 near Sleaford, North Kesteven, Lincolnshire (AIV 2022/113). 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 becomes part of the surveillance zone.

  15. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry on 24 September 2022 at a second premises near Poulton-le-Fylde, Wyre, Lancashire (AIV 2022/81). Following successful completion of disease control activity and surveillance in the zone, the protection zone has ended and the area that formed the protection zone becomes part of the surveillance zone. All birds have been humanely culled.

  16. HPAI H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry at a premises near Woodbridge, East Suffolk, Suffolk Mileham, Breckland, Norfolk. A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are in place around the premises.

  17. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry on 28 November 2022 at a second premises near Mileham, Breckland, Norfolk. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry on 28 September 2022 at a premises near Selby, Selby, North Yorkshire (AIV 2022/83). Part of the surveillance zone has been revoked.

  18. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 confirmed in commercial poultry near Bromsgrove, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire.

  19. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in captive birds on 7 October 2022 at a third premises near Bury St Edmunds, West Suffolk, Suffolk. Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance in the zone, the 3km captive bird (monitoring) controlled zone has been revoked.

  20. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in other captive birds on 16 September 2022 at a second premises near Crewe, Cheshire East, Cheshire. Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance in the zone, the 3km protection zone has ended and the area formed by the protection zone becomes a surveillance zone.

  21. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry on 23 November 2022 at a fourth premises, near Taverham, Norfolk (AIV 2022/216). A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are in place around the premises. Also added a new link to the legislation list.

  22. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in other captive birds on 22 November 2022 at a premises near Napton on the Hill, Kenilworth and Southam, Warwickshire (AIV 2022/214). A 3km captive bird (monitoring) controlled zone is 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 22 November 2022 at a second premises near Easingwold, Hambleton, North Yorkshire (AIV 2022/215). A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are in place around the premises. All birds on the premises will be humanely culled. Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance in the zones, the 3km protection zone has ended and the area that formed the protection zone becomes part of the 10 km surveillance zone at the following premises: premises near Honington, West Suffolk, Suffolk (AIV 2022/74). Second premises near Honington, West Suffolk, Suffolk (AIV 2022/77).

  23. Removed free range and organic content. Added it to ‘Egg marketing standards’ and ‘Poultry meat marketing standards’ guidance pages.

  24. Updated the latest situation. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in poultry and other captive birds on 21 November 2022 at a premises near Barnard Castle, County Durham, Durham (AIV 2022/213). A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are in place around the premises.

  25. HPAI H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry at premises near Brailsford, Derbyshire Dales, Derbyshire, near Wheaton Aston, South Staffordshire, Staffordshire and near Ruskington, North Kesteven, Lincolnshire. A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are in place around each of the premises. Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance in the zones, the 3km protection zone has ended and the area that formed the protection zone becomes part of the 10 km surveillance zone at a second premises near Dartington, South Hams, Devon and a premises near Hadleigh, Babergh, Suffolk.

  26. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry on 18 November 2022 at a premises near Leyburn, Richmondshire, North Yorkshire. A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are in place around the premises.

  27. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry on 16 November 2022: fourth premises near Oundle, North Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire and a premises near Thorpe Culvert, East Lindsey, Lincolnshire. A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are in place around the premises.

  28. Updated the latest situation. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial housed poultry on 15 November 2022 at a third premises near Oundle, North Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire (AIV 2022/203). A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are in place around the premises. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed on 15 November 2022 in other captive birds at a premises near Birdlip, Cotswold, Gloucestershire (AIV 2022/204). A 3km captive bird (monitoring) controlled zone been put in place around the premises.

  29. HPAI H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry in a premises near Doveridge, Derbyshire Dales, Derbyshire and a second premises near Oundle, North Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire. A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are in place around the premises. HPAI H5N1 was confirmed in other captive birds at a premises near Arundel, Arun, West Sussex. A 3km captive bird (monitoring) controlled zone been put in place around the premises.

  30. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed on 13 November 2022 in poultry at a third premises near Halesworth, East Suffolk, Suffolk. A 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone have been put in place around the premises. All poultry on the infected premises will be humanely culled.

  31. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry on 17 September 2022 at a premises near Bury St Edmunds, West Suffolk, Suffolk (AIV 2022/72). Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance in the zones, the 3km protection zone has ended and the area that formed the protection zone becomes part of the 10 km surveillance zone. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry on 1 October 2022 at a premises near Bury St Edmunds, West Suffolk, Suffolk (2nd premises) (AIV 2022/85). Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance in the zones, the 3km protection zone has ended and the area that formed the protection zone becomes part of the 10 km surveillance zone.

  32. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry on 11 November 2022: • near Colkirk, Breckland, Norfolk (AIV 2022/197) • near Berkswell, Solihull, West Midlands (AIV 2022/198) A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are in place around the premises. All poultry on the premises will be humanely culled.

  33. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in other captive birds (non-poultry) on 10 November 2022: near Hale, Halton, Cheshire and a second premises near Hale, Halton, Cheshire. A 3km captive bird (monitoring) controlled zone is in place around each of the premises. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry on 10 November 2022 at a premises near Northallerton, Hambleton, North Yorkshire. A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are in place around the premises. All poultry on the premises will be humanely culled. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry on 28 September 2022 at a premises near Selby, Selby, North Yorkshire. Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance in the zones, the 3km protection zone has ended and the area that formed the protection zone becomes part of the 10 km surveillance zone.

  34. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 confirmed in commercial poultry near Hatton, South Derbyshire and at a fifth premises near Wymondham, Norfolk.

  35. HPAI H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry at a premises near Tattenhall, Cheshire West & Chester, Cheshire. A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are in place around the premises. Part of the surveillance zone extends into Wales. HPAI H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry at a premises near Faringdon, Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire (AIV 2022/90) . Following successful completion of disease control activities, the 3km protection zone has ended and the area formed by the protection zone forms part of the surveillance zone.

  36. Torpoint, South East Cornwall, Cornwall - following completion of disease control activities and surveillance within the zones, the 3km protection zone has ended and the 10km surveillance zone has been revoked.

  37. HPAI H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry at a premises near Oundle, North Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire. A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are in place around the premises.

  38. Mandatory housing measures for all poultry and captive birds are now in force across England. This means that all bird keepers must house their birds, whatever their type or size (exceptions apply to some zoo birds and other species).

  39. HPAI H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry at a second premises near Fakenham, North Norfolk, Norfolk and a premises near Reepham, Broadland, Norfolk. A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are in place around each of the premises. HPA) H5N1 was also confirmed in non-commercial other captive birds at a premises near Metheringham, North Kesteven, Lincolnshire. A 3km captive bird (monitoring) controlled zone is in place around the premises.

  40. HPAI H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry at an eleventh premises near Dereham, Breckland, Norfolk. A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are in place around the premises.

  41. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry on 4 November 2022 at a second premises near Kirkham, Fylde, Lancashire. A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are in place around the premises. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in poultry at a premises near Holt, North Norfolk, Norfolk on 3 September 2022. Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance in the zone, the protection zone has ended and the area that formed that protection zone becomes part of the surveillance zone. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in captive wild birds (non-poultry) on 29 August 2022 at a premises near Paignton, Torbay, Devon. Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance within the zone, the 3km Captive Bird (Monitoring) Controlled Zone has been revoked.

  42. First published.