Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency confirmed two further cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in commercial poultry on 14 April 2026: a third infected premises near Gainsborough, West Lindsey, Lincolnshire, and another near Great Shelford, South Cambridgeshire. A 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone have been declared around each site and all poultry on the premises will be humanely culled. (gov.uk)
These follow confirmation on 11 April 2026 of HPAI H5N1 in commercial poultry near Market Rasen, West Lindsey, Lincolnshire, where the same zonal controls are in force and culling is under way. (gov.uk)
Mandatory housing measures were lifted in England at 00:01 on Thursday 9 April, but the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) remains in place across Great Britain. Birds may be let outside unless a premises falls within a protection zone or a captive bird (monitoring) controlled zone; mandatory biosecurity measures continue to apply. (gov.uk)
For holdings caught by a 3km protection zone, the legal position is stringent: birds must remain housed; spreading or removing litter, manure or slurry is prohibited; and movements of poultry, other captive birds and eggs are permitted only where licensing conditions in the case declaration are met. Within the surrounding 10km surveillance zone, keepers must maintain movement records and obtain licences before moving poultry, other captive birds or mammals to and from premises where birds are kept. (gov.uk)
APHA publishes general licences to cover specified low‑risk activities and provides a route to apply for specific licences where movements are not covered. Current instruments include a general licence for moving table eggs to an egg processing plant, guidance on poultry meat produced inside a protection zone, and a list of designated slaughterhouses. Keepers should check the licensing collection and relevant case declaration before arranging any transport. (gov.uk)
Bird gatherings are prohibited inside disease control zones. Elsewhere in England, events involving columbiformes, passeriformes, psittaciformes and birds of prey may proceed under a general licence, while any gathering that includes galliformes, anseriformes or ratites requires a specific licence from APHA with prior notification. (gov.uk)
For the 2025 to 2026 outbreak season to date, the UK has recorded 99 confirmed HPAI H5N1 cases (England 78; Scotland 9; Wales 7; Northern Ireland 5) and one confirmed case of low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI). In line with World Organisation for Animal Health rules, the UK is not currently considered free from HPAI; first confirmations this season were on 9 October 2025 in Northern Ireland, 11 October in England, 25 October in Wales and 12 November in Scotland. (gov.uk)
APHA currently assesses the risk of HPAI H5 infection in wild birds in Great Britain as medium, and the risk of exposure to poultry as low, provided biosecurity is consistently applied. These judgements are reviewed through Defra and APHA outbreak assessments, most recently updated in March 2026. (gov.uk)
Public health advice is unchanged: the UK Health Security Agency assesses the risk to the general public as very low. The Food Standards Agency states that properly cooked poultry and eggs remain safe to eat and that bird flu poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers. (gov.uk)
Land managers and local authorities are advised to use Defra’s mitigation strategy for wild birds alongside weekly surveillance outputs, and to report dead wild birds to government. APHA’s interactive tools track reported wild bird mortality and detections to support local risk management. (gov.uk)
Influenza of avian origin in mammals is notifiable in Great Britain for both wild and kept animals. Vets, laboratories and wildlife professionals must report suspect cases or detections immediately; APHA also publishes confirmed findings in non‑avian wildlife and in captive mammals. Reporting lines are 03000 200 301 (England), 03003 038 268 (Wales) or the local Field Services Office in Scotland. (gov.uk)
Vaccination policy is unchanged. Poultry and most captive birds in England cannot be vaccinated against avian influenza; vaccination is permitted only for eligible zoo birds with prior APHA authorisation. Government and industry continue to monitor vaccine development through the avian influenza vaccination taskforce. (gov.uk)
Immediate actions for keepers inside any newly declared zones are to confirm the boundary on the Defra disease map, audit biosecurity against AIPZ requirements, ensure foot dips and clothing protocols are enforced, update visitor logs, and check whether any planned movements, slaughter or bird gatherings require licences or postponement. (gov.uk)