Avian Influenza Housing Measures Expanded
12 February 2025
Press Notice: Avian Influenza Housing Measures Expanded - GOV.UK
Avian Influenza Prevention Zones (AIPZ) mandating enhanced biosecurity are in force across the UK (separate AIPZs are declared in each administration). In addition, mandatory housing for kept birds is in force across the unitary authorities of the East Riding of Yorkshire, the unitary authority of York, the City of Kingston upon Hull and all districts in Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk, North Yorkshire, and Shropshire.
From 00:01 on Sunday 16 February 2025 mandatory housing measures will be further extended to also cover Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Cheshire, Merseyside and Lancashire to mitigate the risk of further outbreaks of disease occurring.
From 00:01 on Monday 17 February 2025 mandatory housing will also come into force across Northern Ireland see https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/latest-situation for further information.
Bird Gatherings
To further mitigate the risk of disease spread from midday on Monday 10 February 2025 bird gatherings of poultry (Galliforme or Anseriforme) birds are prohibited in England, Wales and Scotland. This includes ducks, geese, swans, pheasants, partridge, quail, chickens, turkeys and guinea fowl. Gatherings of other captive birds may continue providing the event follow and meet all the requirements of the relevant general license (separate general licenses are published in each administration).
Gatherings of all other types of birds are permitted provided the APHA are notified of the gathering at least 7 days before the event and the event follows and meet all the requirements in:
Wales, of the Bird gatherings: general licence for captive birds | GOV.WALES
o Scotland, of the Avian influenza (bird flu): bird gathering general licence - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
From 00:01 on Monday 17 February 2025 a ban on the gatherings of poultry (Galliforme (including pheasants, partridge, quail, chickens, turkey, guinea fowl) and Anseriforme (including ducks, geese, swans) will come into force across Northern Ireland. Gatherings of all other types of birds will be permitted provided the event follows and meet all the requirements in the relevant General licence for bird gatherings | Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.
New Cases in England
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 has been confirmed in commercial poultry at the following premises. A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been declared around each of the premises. All poultry on the premises will be humanely culled.
premises near Market Weighton, East Riding of Yorkshire, Yorkshire (AIV2025/13) (effective from 17:30 on 5 February 2025)
third premises near Pocklington, East Riding of Yorkshire, Yorkshire (AIV2025/14) (effective from 19:30 on 7 February 2025)
second premises near Market Weighton, East Riding of Yorkshire, Yorkshire (AIV2025/15) (effective from 18:20 on 8 February 2025)
premises near Bromborough, Wirral, Merseyside (AIV 2025/16) (effective from 18:00 on 9 February 2025)
premises near Bodmin, North Cornwall, Cornwall (AIV 2025/17) (effective from 17:55 on 9 February 2025)
Case Updates in England
Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance in the zone around the following premises the 10km surveillance zone has been revoked
third premises near Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire, Yorkshire (AIV2024/16) (effective from 15:45 on 5 February 2025)
premises near Nafferton, East Riding of Yorkshire, Yorkshire (AIV2024/17) (effective from 15:45 on 5 February 2025)
Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance in the zone around a premises near Rye, Rother, East Sussex (AIV 2025/03), the 3km protection zone has ended and the area that formed the protection zone becomes a surveillance zone (effective from 18:05 on 9 February 2025)
Case Updates in Scotland
Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance in the zone surrounding the premises near Kirriemuir, Angus (AIV2025/01) the 10km surveillance zone has been revoked(effective from 10:31 on 12 February 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).
An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) mandating enhanced biosecurity is in force across the UK. In addition, mandatory housing for kept birds is in force across the unitary authorities of the East Riding of Yorkshire, the unitary authority of York, the City of Kingston upon Hull and all districts in Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk, North Yorkshire, and Shropshire. From 00:01 on Sunday 16 February 2025 mandatory housing measures will be further extended to also cover Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Cheshire, Merseyside and Lancashire 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 disease control 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, how to house birds to protect their health and welfare during outbreaks, and how to spot and report it in poultry or other captive birds see gov.uk/birdflu