UK bird flu: latest cases, AIPZ rules and what to do

Here’s the situation today, Friday 19 December 2025. Officials have stood down the protection zone around Feltwell in West Norfolk after checks were completed, but new H5N1 cases were confirmed yesterday in a large commercial flock near Brockworth in Gloucestershire and by Scotland’s Chief Veterinary Officer near Penicuik in the Scottish Borders. In both places, 3km protection and 10km surveillance zones now apply and affected birds will be humanely culled. Earlier in the week, zones around parts of Suffolk and East Sussex were revoked, while new controls were set near Welton in Lincolnshire and at a third site near Newington in Kent. These are formal disease-control steps that change as evidence comes in.

Across Great Britain, an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) remains in force. That means legal biosecurity rules for everyone who keeps birds-backyard hens, school smallholdings and commercial units alike. In England and Wales there are also mandatory housing measures. If you keep 50 or more birds you must house them. If you keep fewer than 50 solely for your own use, you do not have to house. If you keep fewer than 50 but sell or give away eggs, birds, or poultry products, you must house them because they count as poultry. The national AIPZ declaration for England was updated on 19 December to reflect changes around bird gatherings.

For context, the 2025–26 outbreak season began on 1 October. As of today’s update, the UK has recorded 70 confirmed HPAI H5N1 cases in kept birds: 57 in England, 2 in Scotland, 7 in Wales and 4 in Northern Ireland. Under World Organisation for Animal Health rules, the UK is not currently considered free of HPAI. These numbers help you judge risk in your area alongside the local zone map.

If you keep birds, your first job is to check whether you are inside a protection or surveillance zone. Protection zones are drawn within 3km of an infected premises and trigger stricter controls; surveillance zones usually cover 10km and bring wider checks and movement rules. Because requirements vary by zone and can change quickly, always read the conditions that apply where you live and check whether you need a movement licence before transporting birds, eggs or by‑products. The official map and rules are the reference point.

Let’s translate the housing measures into plain steps. If your birds must be housed, bring feed and water indoors or under a solid cover, block access to standing water, and separate your birds from wild bird droppings wherever possible. Keep a simple log of visitors and vehicle movements, and clean and disinfect boots and equipment every time you enter housing. These are everyday routines that cut risk and help inspectors see that you’re taking reasonable precautions.

If you see a dead or sick wild bird, do not touch it. Report it using the government service, then wash your hands thoroughly. You can continue to feed garden birds, but clean feeders and water baths regularly-good hygiene protects birds from a range of illnesses, not just H5N1. In an AIPZ you must not feed wild gamebirds within 500 metres of premises housing more than 500 captive birds. These small choices lower the chance of the virus passing from wild to kept birds.

For households and students wondering about people and food: the UK Health Security Agency says the risk to the general public is very low, and the Food Standards Agency says the food safety risk for consumers is very low. Properly cooked poultry and eggs remain safe to eat. This is about animal health first, with public health precautions in place as a buffer.

If you organise shows, training or racing, read the bird‑gathering rules carefully. Outside disease control zones, some events can go ahead under a general licence for psittacines, birds of prey and racing pigeons; other groups require a specific licence. Inside active zones, gatherings are not permitted. England’s AIPZ declaration was refreshed on 19 December to reflect changes related to gatherings-so check the latest conditions before planning anything.

You cannot vaccinate poultry or most captive birds against bird flu in England. Only licensed zoos can seek authorisation from the Animal and Plant Health Agency, and that requires meeting strict criteria. Defra and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate continue to review global vaccine development and research, but routine vaccination of flocks is not approved.

Avian influenza viruses can infect mammals. In Great Britain, influenza of avian origin in mammals is notifiable. If, in the course of work or testing, you suspect infection or detect influenza A virus or antibodies in a wild or kept mammal, you must report it immediately. Call 03000 200 301 in England, 03003 038 268 in Wales, or your local Field Services Office in Scotland. Non‑reporting is an offence.

For classes and curious readers: HPAI stands for highly pathogenic avian influenza, which tends to cause more severe disease in birds than LPAI, the low pathogenic form. The UK’s recent seasons have varied a lot-there were 207 confirmed HPAI cases in 2022–23, 6 in 2023–24, and 81 in 2024–25-so year‑to‑year swings are normal and depend on wild‑bird migration and weather. This season’s running total sits at 70 so far.

If you want structured learning or to share this with your team, the government’s free ‘stop the spread’ webinars explain how to set up housing safely, improve biosecurity and prepare for inspections. Keep checking the official map and the latest GOV.UK update page, as zones and rules move quickly when new cases are confirmed or revoked.