Bird flu in England Nov 2025: cases, zones, risk

You’re seeing bird flu in the news again, so here’s the clear, classroom-ready version. As of 1 November 2025, Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) confirmed new cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in England, with a further site reported in Wales. We’ll explain what happened, what the rules mean, and the steps you should take. HPAI simply means a strain that causes severe disease in birds.

On 1 November 2025, APHA confirmed H5N1 at two large commercial poultry units: near Honington in West Suffolk, Suffolk (case codes AIV 2025/79) and near Donington in South Holland, Lincolnshire (AIV 2025/80). Around each site, a 3 km Protection Zone and a 10 km Surveillance Zone are now in force, and all poultry on the premises will be humanely culled as part of standard disease control.

On 31 October, three more English sites were confirmed: near Ormesby St Margaret, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk; near Uckfield, Wealden, East Sussex; and near Swineshead, Boston, Lincolnshire (case codes AIV 2025 76–78). On the same day, the Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales confirmed a second premises near Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire (AIV 2025 75). Each site has 3 km and 10 km zones and affected flocks are being culled.

A quick primer you can share with students or staff: a Protection Zone covers 3 km from the infected premises and brings tight rules on movement, cleansing and records. A Surveillance Zone extends to 10 km with wider monitoring and movement controls. If you keep birds in either zone, you must follow the legal requirements for that zone and check whether a movement licence is needed for poultry, eggs, by-products or mammals. Defra’s disease zone map lets you check your postcode quickly.

Separate to local disease control zones, an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) with mandatory biosecurity measures remains in place in parts of England. From 00:01 on 30 October 2025, some higher-risk areas require you to house your birds if you keep more than 50 birds of any species, or any number of poultry kept for sale or supply. If you keep fewer than 50 birds for your own use, housing is not required, but strong biosecurity still is.

Those additional housing measures currently apply in these counties identified by Defra as high risk: Cheshire, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Durham, East Riding of Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Merseyside, Norfolk, North Yorkshire, Northumberland, Nottinghamshire, Rutland, Shropshire, South Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Tyne and Wear, and West Yorkshire. The full list of local authority areas is set out in the AIPZ declaration.

This outbreak season runs from October to September. So far in 2025 to 2026, APHA reports 15 confirmed cases in England, 3 in Wales, 1 in Northern Ireland and none in Scotland, making 19 in total. Under World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) rules, the UK is not currently considered free from highly pathogenic avian influenza.

For context, confirmed HPAI cases vary by season: 81 in 2024 to 2025; 6 in 2023 to 2024; 207 in 2022 to 2023; and 158 in 2021 to 2022. Low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) was recorded as 1 case in both 2024 to 2025 and 2022 to 2023. You can use these figures to discuss how migration, weather and on-farm biosecurity shape each year’s pattern.

APHA’s assessment says the risk of HPAI H5 in wild birds in Great Britain is very high. For poultry, the risk is high where biosecurity is poor or inconsistent, and low where strict measures are followed, with high uncertainty noted in both. What this means for you: control entry points, clean footwear and equipment, secure feed from wild birds, manage vermin, and keep visitors and vehicles to a minimum.

Public health advice remains steady. UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says bird flu is primarily a disease of birds and the risk to the general public is very low. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) says the food safety risk is very low; properly cooked poultry and eggs remain safe to eat. Good kitchen hygiene always matters.

On wild birds, you can put food out, but wash your hands afterwards and avoid feeding near premises that keep poultry or captive birds. Keep garden feeders and water baths clean; the British Trust for Ornithology provides practical advice. Do not touch or move sick or dead wild birds. Report dead wild birds through GOV.UK, and follow NHS guidance if you have had contact with droppings or feathers. In AIPZ areas, do not feed wild gamebirds within 500 metres of premises with more than 500 poultry or captive birds.

Avian-origin influenza can also infect mammals. In Great Britain it is notifiable in both wild and kept mammals. You must report it immediately if examination or testing leads you to suspect infection or detect influenza A virus or antibodies. Call 03000 200 301 in England, 03003 038 268 in Wales, or contact Field Services in Scotland. Failure to report is an offence.

If you are outside a disease control zone in England, you may apply for a specific licence to hold a gathering of poultry, and there is a general licence for gatherings of other captive birds. Where AIPZ housing applies, gatherings for most poultry types are not allowed. Always check your zone first and read licence conditions carefully.

Routine vaccination of poultry and most captive birds is not permitted in England. Zoos can apply for vaccination of eligible birds if authorised by APHA and if strict criteria are met. Defra and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate continue to monitor vaccine development and support research.

Defra manages outbreaks under the contingency plan for exotic notifiable diseases, the notifiable avian disease control strategy, and a set of Orders and Regulations updated between 2006 and 2024, including amendments covering avian influenza and exotic animal diseases. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland publish their own guidance and legislation. Defra’s webinars, epidemiology reports and weekly wild bird updates are useful teaching aids.

Your quick next steps: check the Defra map to confirm whether you are in a 3 km or 10 km zone or an AIPZ housing area; follow the legal rules for your zone; apply for movement licences if needed; refresh biosecurity with signage, foot dips and vermin control; and keep records ready for inspection. If in doubt, speak to your vet or APHA for advice.