Defra - Avian Influenza Latest Situation
1 April 2025
New Cases in England
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry at a fifth premises near Thirsk, Thirsk & Malton, North Yorkshire (AIV 2025/38). A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone has been declared around the premises (effective from 18:35 on 1 April 2025). All poultry on the premises will be humanely culled.
Case Update in England
Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance within the zones surrounding the premises near Driffield, East Riding of Yorkshire, Yorkshire (AIV 2025/25), the 3km protection zone has ended and the area becomes part of the 10km surveillance zone surrounding this premises (effective from 12:20 on 1 April 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).
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