Defra - Avian Influenza Latest Situation
30 March 2025
New Cases in England
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry at a premises near Pickering, Thirsk and Malton, North Yorkshire (AIV 2025/37). A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been declared surrounding the premises (effective from 17:00 on 30 March 2025). All affected birds on the premises will be humanely culled.
Enhanced Surveillance Zone (ESZ) and EU Trade
Please note due to an administrative error the opening of the Enhanced Surveillance Zone (ESZ) (GB-2.351) surrounding the second premises near Pocklington, East Riding of Yorkshire, Yorkshire (AIV 2025/09) has incorrectly been recorded as closed in the Official Journal of the European Union (indicating relevant export health certificates for entry to the EU from this area can now be certified). The 10km Surveillance Zone (SZ) remains in force surrounding this premises and the ESZ will not be closed until all disease control activities and surveillance in this zone has been completed and the SZ surrounding the premises has been revoked. The ESZ remains open on the Avian Influenza Export Health Certification Check (arcgis.com) interactive map. A corrigendum will be published by the EU shortly.
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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).
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 in England 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 Cheshire, Herefordshire, Merseyside, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, North Yorkshire, Shropshire Suffolk and Worcestershire and all areas of Northern Ireland 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 in GB using the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s (APHA) interactive map and in Northern Ireland using DAERA’s 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