Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency have confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) in commercial poultry near Easingwold, North Yorkshire, on 2 November 2025. A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are in force and the flock will be humanely culled.
Two further large commercial premises were confirmed on 1 November: near Honington in West Suffolk, and near Donington in South Holland, Lincolnshire. Standard 3km and 10km disease control zones were declared at both sites and culling will proceed.
On 31 October, cases were confirmed in England near Ormesby St Margaret (Great Yarmouth, Norfolk), near Uckfield (Wealden, East Sussex) and near Swineshead (Boston, Lincolnshire). On the same date in Wales, the Chief Veterinary Officer confirmed H5N1 at a second premises near Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire. All sites are now under statutory controls.
England remains within an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone with mandatory biosecurity. From 00:01 on 30 October, housing of birds applies in designated high‑risk areas where keepers have more than 50 birds of any species, or any number of poultry kept for eggs, poultry products or live sales; keepers with fewer than 50 birds for private consumption are not required to house. The housing areas cover Cheshire, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Durham, East Riding of Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Merseyside, Norfolk, North Yorkshire, Northumberland, Nottinghamshire, Rutland, Shropshire, South Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Tyne and Wear, and West Yorkshire. Detailed boundaries are set out in the declaration.
For the 2025/26 outbreak season to date, the UK total stands at 20 confirmed H5N1 cases: 16 in England, 3 in Wales and 1 in Northern Ireland, with none confirmed in Scotland so far. Under World Organisation for Animal Health rules, the UK is not currently free from highly pathogenic avian influenza.
Current risk assessments state the risk of H5 in wild birds in Great Britain is very high. For poultry, exposure risk is high where biosecurity is suboptimal and low where stringent measures are consistently applied, with high uncertainty in both cases. These positions are supported by APHA outbreak assessments.
Keepers inside any disease control zone must follow the published legal restrictions. Movements of poultry, other captive birds, eggs, poultry products and certain mammals are prohibited unless covered by a general licence or a specific licence issued by APHA. Operators should confirm their zone on the interactive map and check relevant licence conditions before moving anything.
Bird gatherings remain controlled. If outside a disease control zone, organisers may apply for a specific licence to hold poultry gatherings or rely on the general licence for other captive birds, subject to meeting conditions and notifying APHA at least seven days in advance. Where housing is mandated under the prevention zone, gatherings of most poultry are not permitted.
Vaccination policy has not changed. Poultry and most captive birds cannot be vaccinated in England; vaccination is permitted only for zoo birds subject to APHA authorisation and a zoo licence. Defra and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate continue to monitor vaccine development through the avian influenza vaccination taskforce.
Public‑health and food‑safety positions remain stable. UKHSA assesses the risk to the general public as very low, and the Food Standards Agency advises that properly cooked poultry and eggs are safe to eat.
Management of wild birds is guided by the England and Wales mitigation strategy and APHA’s routine surveillance. Land managers and local authorities are advised to use signage, keep the public informed and report dead wild birds via official channels rather than attempt removal. Weekly findings in wild birds are published by APHA.
Influenza of avian origin is notifiable in both wild and kept mammals. Veterinarians, laboratories and wildlife rehabilitators must report suspect cases immediately to APHA using the published nation‑specific phone lines; failure to report is an offence. The guidance sets out case definitions, sample handling and regulatory controls.
Commercial operators should now re‑audit biosecurity against the current declaration: maintain foot dips at all entry points, segregate ducks and geese from other species, store feed, water and bedding under cover, limit non‑essential on‑site movements and keep comprehensive movement and mortality records. Sites with 500+ birds must implement the enhanced measures listed in Schedule 2.
Smallholders should confirm whether they fall within a housing area, secure accommodation and netting where required, strengthen pest control and avoid feeding wild birds near premises. If within a protection or surveillance zone, do not move birds, eggs or poultry meat without the appropriate licence and maintain a log of visitors and vehicles.