England bird flu: zones, AIPZ rules and risk (16 Feb 2026)

If you keep a few hens, teach biology or run a school eco‑club, you need the clear version of what changed this week. As of Monday 16 February 2026, after disease control and surveillance finished, officials revoked the 10km surveillance zone around a third premises near Gainsborough in West Lindsey, ended the protection zone and revoked the surveillance zone near Chedburgh in Suffolk, and lifted the surveillance zone near York. On Saturday 14 February, H5N1 was confirmed in other captive birds near Ancroft, Northumberland, and a 3km captive bird monitoring zone is in place. (gov.uk)

Why do these updates arrive in clusters? Zones only lift when vets complete cleansing, testing and checks, so an area may first step down from a 3km protection zone to a 10km surveillance zone before removal. That is why the official record often reads “protection zone ended” followed later by “surveillance zone revoked”. (gov.uk)

What this means for you right now. All of England is in an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone with mandatory biosecurity and housing measures. If you keep 50 or more birds you must house them. If you keep fewer than 50 birds solely for your own use, you do not have to house them. If you keep fewer than 50 but sell or give away eggs, products or live birds, those birds count as ‘poultry’ in law and must be housed. (gov.uk)

Before you move birds, eggs or even mammals kept on a premises with birds, check your postcode on the Defra disease zone map and read the declaration for your area. Some movements need a licence, and gatherings of birds are not allowed inside disease control zones. If you are outside a control zone, only certain gatherings are allowed under a general licence, while others need a specific one. (gov.uk)

Where the season stands for learning and planning. The 2025 to 2026 outbreak season began with the first H5N1 case confirmed on 11 October 2025 in England, 25 October in Wales, 12 November in Scotland and 9 October in Northern Ireland. So far there have been 94 confirmed HPAI H5N1 cases across the UK and one LPAI case in England, and under World Organisation for Animal Health rules the UK is not currently recognised as free from HPAI. (gov.uk)

How risk is judged. Officials currently assess the risk of H5 in wild birds in Great Britain as very high. For kept birds, the chance of exposure is high if biosecurity is suboptimal and medium if stringent measures are applied consistently. In practice, routines like keeping feed and water under cover, cleaning boots and kit, and preventing contact with wild birds matter more than ever. (gov.uk)

Public health picture to share with families. The UK Health Security Agency says bird flu is primarily a disease of birds and the risk to the general public is very low. The Food Standards Agency adds that the food safety risk is very low too, and properly cooked poultry and eggs remain safe to eat. (gov.uk)

Wild birds: everyday choices that reduce risk. You can feed garden birds, then wash your hands with soap and water. Keep feeders and water baths clean, following advice from the British Trust for Ornithology. Avoid areas close to premises that keep poultry, never touch or move sick or dead wild birds, and report any you find through the official service. If you come into contact with droppings or feathers, wash thoroughly and follow NHS guidance. (gov.uk)

Movement and events in plain English. When disease control zones are in force, moving birds, eggs or susceptible mammals from affected premises often requires a licence, and bird fairs or shows are not permitted in those areas. Outside zones, some events can go ahead under a general licence and others need specific approval. Always read the current declaration for the rules that apply to you. (gov.uk)

Mammals and spillover, explained for students. Avian influenza viruses can infect some wild and kept mammals. Infection of avian origin in mammals is notifiable, meaning vets must report it immediately if they suspect infection or detect influenza A virus or antibodies in samples. To report, the lines are 03000 200 301 for England, 03003 038 268 for Wales, or your Field Services Office in Scotland. (gov.uk)

A smallholder snapshot you can teach from. If you keep a few hens for your household, you still need strong hygiene but may not have to house them if you never sell or give away eggs or birds. If you do sell or gift any produce, your birds are classed as poultry and must be housed, and some movements may need licences while zones are active. Start every decision by checking the official map and the latest declaration. (gov.uk)

Vaccines: where things stand. There is no routine vaccination for poultry or most captive birds in England. Zoos can apply for vaccination if they meet eligibility criteria and receive authorisation from APHA. Defra and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate continue to monitor vaccine development and run a national vaccination taskforce. (gov.uk)

What to remember this week. Zones were lifted around Gainsborough, Chedburgh and York after surveillance cleared them, and a new 3km monitoring zone is active near Ancroft. The prevention zone with housing measures remains in force across England. If you are teaching this, frame it around three habits: check the map before activities, keep hands and kit clean, and treat reporting rules as civic homework. (gov.uk)