Defra has confirmed a further case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) in commercial poultry near Hallow, Malvern Hills, Worcestershire, on 8 November 2025. A 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone are now in force, with culling to be undertaken on the infected premises. The confirmations on 7 November in Norfolk, Lincolnshire and North Yorkshire remain subject to the same controls.
The season totals have moved accordingly. As of 8 November 2025 the UK has recorded 35 confirmed H5N1 cases in kept birds this season: England 28, Wales 4, Northern Ireland 3 and Scotland none to date. Under World Organisation for Animal Health rules, the UK is not currently free from highly pathogenic avian influenza. First detections this season were on 9 October in Northern Ireland, 11 October in England and 25 October in Wales.
Great Britain remains in an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone. In England, mandatory biosecurity applies nationwide, and additional housing measures apply in designated high‑risk areas. Keepers with more than 50 birds must house them. Keepers with fewer than 50 birds do not have to house if produce is for their own use only; however, if any eggs, poultry products or live birds are sold or given away, those birds are treated as poultry and must be housed.
The current declaration covers specified high‑risk counties in England, including Norfolk, Suffolk, Lincolnshire, Lancashire, North Yorkshire and others. The declaration sets the legal position; keepers should check the Defra disease control map to confirm whether their holding is within a housing area and follow the housing and biosecurity schedules in the declaration.
Where infection is confirmed, statutory disease control zones apply. Protection zones (3km) and surveillance zones (10km) trigger restrictions on movements of birds, eggs, litter and manure, require housing or isolation of birds in the 3km zone, impose record‑keeping and carcass disposal rules, and prohibit bird gatherings within affected areas. Captive Bird (Monitoring) Controlled Zones may also be declared around non‑commercial premises. Zones remain until withdrawn by a further declaration once control and surveillance objectives are met.
Northern Ireland has also confirmed H5N1 at premises near Pomeroy and Lisnaskea following national laboratory confirmation. Temporary Control Zones have been revoked and replaced with 3km protection and 10km surveillance zones, in force from 09:00 on 7 November 2025 under the Northern Ireland regulations.
Movements within, into or out of control zones are generally prohibited unless covered by a general licence or a specific licence issued after risk assessment. Current general licences include movements of certain eggs, carcases, litter and by‑products under strict conditions. Meat from poultry originating in a protection zone is subject to special marking and handling rules, and only designated slaughterhouses may process birds from HPAI zones under licence.
Bird gatherings are tightly controlled. Outside disease control zones, organisers may apply for a specific licence for poultry gatherings; other captive bird events may proceed under the general licence if conditions are met and APHA is notified at least seven days in advance. Gatherings are not permitted for most poultry in AIPZ areas where housing is required.
Risk assessments published by Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency indicate the risk of H5 in wild birds in Great Britain is very high. The risk of exposure for kept birds is assessed as high where biosecurity is suboptimal, and low where stringent biosecurity is consistently applied. UKHSA advises the risk to public health remains very low, and the Food Standards Agency states the food safety risk is very low; properly cooked poultry and eggs remain safe to eat.
Vaccination of poultry and most captive birds is not permitted in England. Zoo birds may be vaccinated subject to APHA authorisation and eligibility. Policy is underpinned by the Avian Influenza (Vaccination) (England) Regulations 2006 and related instruments. Operational control continues to follow Defra’s Notifiable Avian Disease Control Strategy alongside AIPZ and zone declarations, which provide the legal basis for movement controls, licensing, housing and enforcement.