Bird flu H5N1: England cases and zones, 24–26 Oct

Here’s the situation this week and what it means for you. On 26 October 2025, Defra confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 at a commercial premises near Lakenheath in West Suffolk. A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are in place around the site, and birds on the premises will be humanely culled.

The day before, on 25 October, H5N1 was confirmed at a premises near Bedale in North Yorkshire and at a second premises near Penrith in Cumbria. Each location has the same 3km and 10km controls. On 24 October, H5N1 was detected in other captive birds at a premises near Burscough in West Lancashire, which triggered a 3km captive bird monitoring zone.

Quick explainer: HPAI is a bird flu that spreads fast and can be deadly for poultry. UK Health Security Agency advisers say the risk to the general public is very low, and the Food Standards Agency says properly cooked poultry and eggs remain safe to eat.

For context, the 2025–26 outbreak season began with confirmations in Northern Ireland on 9 October and in England on 11 October; Wales recorded its first case on 25 October, while Scotland has had none so far this season. The UK total currently stands at nine confirmed cases: seven in England, one in Wales and one in Northern Ireland. Under World Organisation for Animal Health rules, the UK is not considered free from HPAI at this time.

England is also under an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ). This means mandatory biosecurity for everyone who keeps birds, from commercial farms to backyard flocks and pets. Measures will stay in place until further notice and are reviewed regularly by government vets.

What the zones mean in plain English: the protection zone (3km) is a tight ring around an infected premises with strict movement controls, records, cleansing and, where required, housing. The surveillance zone (10km) is wider and focuses on active monitoring and controls to limit any further spread.

Captive bird monitoring zones are different from poultry zones. When infection is in other captive birds, authorities can create a 3km monitoring zone centred on enhanced observation and biosecurity for aviaries, collections and small keepers. That is the approach near Burscough in West Lancashire.

If you’re unsure which rules apply where you live, check your postcode on the official Defra disease zone map. If you fall inside a zone, you must follow those local rules and check whether you need a licence before moving poultry, eggs, by‑products, bedding or even mammals kept on the premises.

If you keep birds, think in layers. Keep wild birds out by securing housing and feed. Clean footwear and equipment every visit. Separate new or returning birds. Limit visitors and keep movement logs. Government risk assessments say good biosecurity keeps exposure risk low; standards that slip raise risk to medium.

Spotting and reporting matters. If your poultry or captive birds show signs of disease, contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency immediately. Do not touch or move dead or sick wild birds. Use the government reporting service for dead wild birds and wash hands thoroughly if you encounter droppings or feathers. If you’re in an AIPZ, you must not feed wild gamebirds within 500 metres of premises housing more than 500 birds.

Avian influenza of avian origin can also be detected in mammals and is notifiable in both wild and kept mammals. Vets and laboratories must report suspected or confirmed findings straight away. The reporting lines are 03000 200 301 in England, 03003 038 268 in Wales, and via the local Field Services Office in Scotland.

Bird gatherings are tightly managed. If you are outside disease control zones in England, you can apply for a specific licence to hold a gathering of poultry. A general licence sets conditions for gatherings of other captive birds. Always read the licence conditions carefully before planning an event.

There is no general vaccination for poultry or most captive birds in England. Zoos can apply for authorisation if they meet strict criteria. Defra, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate and the avian influenza vaccination taskforce continue to track vaccine development and fund research.

For classrooms and study groups, the recent pattern is a useful case study. Confirmed UK HPAI cases by season: 158 in 2021–22, 207 in 2022–23, 6 in 2023–24 and 81 in 2024–25. Discuss how migration, weather and farm biosecurity can shift the numbers year to year, and why officials scale measures up or down.

What this means day to day: most people will not notice changes beyond signs near reserves or farms. Shops and restaurants remain safe because cooking kills the virus. The most helpful actions are simple-check your postcode if you keep birds, follow AIPZ rules, keep garden feeders clean following British Trust for Ornithology advice, and rely on updates from Defra, UKHSA and the FSA rather than rumours. Free ‘stop the spread’ webinars on GOV.UK can help new and experienced keepers alike.