Defra - Avian Influenza Latest Situation
20 January 2025
New Cases in England
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 has been confirmed in commercial poultry at a premises near Wem, North Shropshire, Shropshire (AIV 2025/05). All poultry on the premises will be humanely culled. A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been declared around the premises (effective from 18:30 on the 20 January 2025). Although the premises is in England part of the surveillance zone extends into the Wrexham local authority area of Wales.
Case Updates in England
Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance in the zone around the following premises the 3km protection zone has ended and the area that formed the protection zone becomes a surveillance zone. A 10km surveillance zone remains in force surrounding these premises.
third premises near Attleborough, Breckland, Norfolk (AIV 2024/15) (effective from 19:00 on the 18 January 2025)
first premises Attleborough, Breckland, Norfolk (AIV 2024/09) (effective from 20:30 on the 19 January 2025)
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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).
A regional avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ) mandating enhanced biosecurity and housing for all types and sizes of kept bird, is in force in the East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston upon Hull, Norfolk and Suffolk to mitigate the risk of further outbreaks of disease occurring.
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.UKguidance 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