Bird flu England: Market Rasen case, Apr 2026 rules

On 11 April 2026, the UK government (Defra/APHA) confirmed H5N1 in commercial poultry near Market Rasen, Lincolnshire. A 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone apply; birds on the premises will be humanely culled. (gov.uk)

One zone elsewhere has ended. Following checks, the 10km surveillance zone near Pickering, Thirsk and Malton was revoked on 9 April-useful context if you keep birds or work in education in Yorkshire. (gov.uk)

A separate national change matters for daily routines. On 9 April, AIPZ housing measures in England were lifted, so you can let birds outside unless you’re in a protection zone or captive bird zone-but strict biosecurity still applies. (gov.uk)

Key terms: an avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ) sets baseline hygiene rules across a wide area. A protection zone is the tighter 3km ring placed around a confirmed case with the toughest controls. A surveillance zone is the wider 10km ring for tracing and monitoring.

First steps if you keep birds: check the official disease map to see which ring you’re in, then read the rules for that zone. If you plan to move birds, eggs or by‑products, you may need a licence-always check before moving anything off site. (gov.uk)

Risk today: government scientists rate H5 in wild birds as medium. For poultry, exposure risk is low, with uncertainty depending on how strong your biosecurity is. UKHSA says risk to the public is very low, and the FSA says properly cooked poultry and eggs remain safe to eat. (gov.uk)

Public safety: if you find a dead or sick wild bird, do not touch it. Report it through the official route and wash your hands after any contact with droppings or feathers; the NHS has clear hygiene advice if you’re unsure. (gov.uk)

Events and shows: outside any active disease control zone, some gatherings are allowed under a general licence and others need a specific licence. Check which group your birds belong to before arranging a sale, show or meet‑up. (gov.uk)

Vaccines: routine vaccination of poultry and most captive birds is not permitted in England. Zoos can apply for authorisation in defined circumstances through APHA; this is for specialist collections, not backyard flocks. (gov.uk)

Mammals and reporting: influenza of avian origin can infect wild and kept mammals and is notifiable. Vets or analysts who suspect it must report immediately-03000 200 301 (England), 03003 038 268 (Wales), or contact Scotland’s Field Services Office. Not reporting is an offence. (gov.uk)

The season in numbers: from 1 October 2025, England has confirmed 76 HPAI H5N1 cases and one LPAI; Scotland nine; Wales seven; Northern Ireland five. That’s 97 HPAI and one LPAI case UK‑wide so far in the 2025–26 season. (gov.uk)

Classroom idea: draw two rings on a local map around Market Rasen-3km and 10km. Ask learners to write a short plan for a smallholder inside each ring, covering visitor control, movement checks, cleaning routines, and how they’d keep neighbours informed.

Feeding wild birds: you can still put out food, but steer clear of areas near poultry premises and keep feeders and water baths clean. In an AIPZ, feeding gamebirds may be restricted within 500 metres of large premises, so always check local rules. (gov.uk)

Bottom line: know your zone, follow the specific rules where you live, keep biosecurity tight every day, and use official reporting routes when something looks wrong. That approach protects your birds, your neighbours and the wider UK flock this spring.