Defra - Avian Influenza Latest Situation

16 December 2024

Press Release: Avian influenza prevention zone declared in four counties - GOV.UK

• Following a number of findings of highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds and detections in poultry in the East Riding of Yorkshire and Norfolk, a regional avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ) has been declared in the East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston upon Hull, Norfolk and Suffolk to mitigate the risk of further outbreaks of disease occurring.

• This means that it is a legal requirement for all bird keepers within the zone to follow strict biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks, of whatever type or size. This does not include a requirement to house birds, unless you are also in a 3km protection zone. However, this is being kept under constant review.

• See the interactive map for details and check the declarations for details of the restrictions.

New Case in England

• Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in other captive birds at a premises near Cranworth, Mid Norfolk, Norfolk (AIV 2024/08) on the 14 December 2024. The affected birds on the infected premises will be humanely culled. A 3km captive bird (monitoring) controlled zone has been put in place surrounding the premises (effective from 22:12 on the 14 December 2024).

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• All bird keepers are urged to remain vigilant and take action to protect their birds following the recent cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

• Keepers can check if they are in an avian influenza disease control or prevention zone using the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s (APHA) interactive map.

• Further information on the measures that apply in the zones can be found in Defra’s Bird flu: rules in disease control zones in England - GOV.UK guidance and the zone declarations available via the notifiable disease case finder on gov.uk.

• Disease control zones will remain in place until all disease control and surveillance activities in the zones have been successfully completed and there are no suspect cases are under investigation in the zones.

• Details of the current national risk levels for avian influenza can be found at gov.uk/birdflu with further information on the evidence which supports these levels available in APHA’s risk and outbreak assessments.

• Practicing good biosecurity at all times protects the health and welfare of birds and for commercial keepers will help protect their business from HPAI and other diseases.

• For further information on the latest situation and guidance including on what bird keepers can do to prevent bird flu and stop it spreading and how to spot and report it in poultry or other captive birds see gov.uk/birdflu