Bird flu UK: AIPZ housing rules and reporting Nov 2025
If you keep chickens, pigeons or a small backyard flock-or you simply like topping up the bird feeder-here’s the situation as of Sunday 16 November 2025. H5N1 bird flu has been confirmed at a large commercial unit near Thorne in Doncaster. The day before, a large unit near Swaffham in Norfolk tested positive, alongside a small backyard flock near Watton and ornamental birds near Dawlish in Devon. In each case, officials set a 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone, and birds on the affected premises will be humanely culled.
Across Great Britain there is an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ). In England, mandatory housing measures have applied since 00:01 on Thursday 6 November 2025. If you keep more than 50 birds you must house them; if you keep fewer than 50 for your own use only, housing is not required, but if you sell or give away eggs, birds or poultry products, you must house those birds. Keepers should check the bird flu disease zone map on GOV.UK before making decisions.
Scotland and Wales also remain within the GB-wide AIPZ. Recent confirmations include a large commercial flock near Lanark in South Lanarkshire on 12 November and a backyard flock near Pontyberem in Carmarthenshire on 14 November. These cases trigger the same legal controls: zones, movement restrictions and on-farm biosecurity.
Here’s the scale this season. Since October 2025, the UK has recorded 45 confirmed H5N1 cases: 35 in England, 6 in Wales, 1 in Scotland and 3 in Northern Ireland. Under World Organisation for Animal Health rules, the UK is no longer classed as free from highly pathogenic avian influenza this season.
Understanding the zones helps you plan daily routines. A protection zone usually covers 3km around an infected premises, with strict movement and record‑keeping rules. A surveillance zone extends to 10km, with enhanced monitoring and controls. For some small flocks and collections, authorities may apply a 3km Captive Bird (Monitoring) Controlled Zone focused on testing and observation. Always check your address against the official map before moving birds, eggs or equipment.
Risk levels guide the rules. Officials assess the risk of H5 in wild birds in Great Britain as very high. For poultry and captive birds, the exposure risk is very high where biosecurity is poor, and medium where stringent biosecurity is applied consistently. That’s why routine steps-clean kit, dedicated footwear and clothing, covered feed and water, and keeping wild birds away-matter every day.
What you can do this week if you keep birds. Keep feed and water under cover, net or fence off ponds and standing water, disinfect hard surfaces and equipment with a Defra‑approved product, and limit who comes near your birds. Quarantine new birds separately and speak to your vet about site‑specific risks. These steps reduce the chance that faeces or feathers from wild birds, or dirty footwear and vehicles, carry virus into your setup.
You can still feed wild birds, but do it cleanly and thoughtfully. Wash hands with soap and water afterwards, avoid feeding in areas close to premises with poultry or other captive birds, and keep garden feeders and water baths clean. If you’re in an AIPZ, you must not feed wild gamebirds within 500 metres of a premises that keeps more than 500 birds.
Thinking of a show or sale? Bird gatherings in England are tightly controlled. If you are not in a protection or surveillance zone, you may apply for a specific licence for poultry or rely on a general licence for other captive birds. Where housing measures apply within the AIPZ, gatherings for most types of poultry are not permitted. Check your local status before arranging any events.
On vaccination, the position is clear. You cannot vaccinate poultry or most captive birds against bird flu in England. Vaccination is only possible for eligible zoo birds with explicit authorisation from the Animal and Plant Health Agency.
What this means for people and food. UK Health Security Agency advice is that the risk to the general public remains very low. The Food Standards Agency says properly cooked poultry and eggs are safe to eat, and the food safety risk for consumers is very low. Follow normal hygiene in the kitchen and cook poultry and eggs thoroughly.
How to report and when to avoid contact. Do not touch or move dead or visibly sick wild birds. Use the official GOV.UK “Report dead wild birds” service, or call 03459 33 55 77 if you cannot get online. Your report helps track how the disease is spreading and prioritises collection and testing where appropriate.
A note on mammals, because you may hear about seal or fox cases. Avian influenza viruses can infect wild and kept mammals, and “influenza of avian origin in mammals” is notifiable. Professionals who examine or test mammals must report suspected or detected influenza A immediately: in England call 03000 200 301; in Wales call 03003 038 268; in Scotland contact the local Field Services Office.
Quick definitions you can share in class or with your club. An AIPZ is a legal zone that requires higher biosecurity across a wide area; in England right now that includes mandatory housing for many keepers. A protection zone is the 3km ring around a case; a surveillance zone is the 10km ring. A Captive Bird (Monitoring) Controlled Zone is a 3km zone used for some non‑poultry or small flocks.
Where to look next and how to stay calm. For daily accuracy, check the GOV.UK “bird flu: latest situation” page and the disease zone map before moving birds or equipment. The official pages also list biosecurity checklists and webinars for backyard keepers and schools. Regular, careful checks-and simple hygiene-do more good than rumours.