Defra has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in ornamental captive birds near Dawlish, Teignbridge, Devon (AIV 2025/101) on 15 November 2025. A 3km Captive Bird (Monitoring) Controlled Zone is in force and all birds on the premises will be humanely culled. The confirmation follows cases earlier this week near Poringland (Norfolk), Woodbridge (Suffolk) and Gosforth (Cumbria), alongside a commercial case near Lanark in Scotland, each with disease control zones applied.
Cumulatively this season, the UK has recorded 42 confirmed HPAI H5N1 cases to date: 32 in England, 6 in Wales, 3 in Northern Ireland and 1 in Scotland. Under World Organisation for Animal Health rules, the UK is no longer officially free from highly pathogenic avian influenza.
A Great Britain–wide Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) remains in force, requiring enhanced biosecurity for all keepers. In England, a national housing order took effect at 00:01 on Thursday 6 November 2025: keepers with more than 50 birds must house them, and any keeper who sells or gives away eggs, birds or poultry products must also house birds. Pet flocks under 50 kept solely for personal use are not required to be housed.
Compliance now centres on three steps. First, confirm whether your premises sit within a declared zone using the official mapping tool and read the relevant AIPZ declaration for species‑specific conditions. Second, before any movement of birds, eggs, poultry products or mammals to or from premises where birds are kept, check whether a general licence covers the activity or whether a specific licence is required; movements without the appropriate licence are unlawful in control zones. Third, maintain auditable biosecurity measures as set out in the latest declarations.
Where HPAI is confirmed in poultry or other captive birds, APHA applies spatial controls to reduce spread: a 3km protection zone with housing and strict movement restrictions, and a 10km surveillance zone focused on record‑keeping and licensed movements. Where infection is confined to non‑poultry captive birds, a 3km Captive Bird (Monitoring) Controlled Zone may be declared. Zones stay in place until revoked by further declaration, and bird gatherings are not permitted within them.
Events policy remains risk‑based. Outside disease control zones, poultry gatherings may proceed only under a specific licence, while gatherings of other captive birds can proceed under the general licence if organisers notify APHA at least seven days in advance and meet the conditions set following an individual risk assessment. In areas of the AIPZ where housing is required, most poultry gatherings are not permitted.
Vaccination of poultry or most captive birds is not permitted in England. Zoos holding a current licence may seek APHA authorisation to vaccinate eligible birds, with movements and trade subject to licensing and destination‑country approval. Defra and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate continue to review vaccine options through the avian influenza vaccination taskforce.
Risk levels remain elevated. APHA assesses the risk of H5 in wild birds as very high and the exposure risk to poultry as very high where biosecurity is poor and medium where stringent measures are applied. UKHSA assesses the risk to the general public as very low, and the Food Standards Agency advises properly cooked poultry and eggs remain safe to eat.
Wild‑bird management continues alongside statutory controls. Defra’s Mitigation Strategy for Avian Influenza in Wild Birds in England and Wales sets out actions for land managers and public bodies, while APHA publishes weekly findings for wild birds. Land managers and local authorities should use the updated public‑information posters at affected sites and continue to report dead wild birds for surveillance. In AIPZ areas, feeding wild gamebirds is restricted within 500 metres of premises housing more than 500 birds.
Influenza of avian origin in mammals is a notifiable event. Veterinarians, diagnostic laboratories and wildlife professionals must report suspicion or detection immediately to APHA-failure to do so is an offence. Published suspect‑case definitions and reporting routes include 03000 200 301 for England, 03003 038 268 for Wales and local Field Services Offices in Scotland, with APHA triaging cases.
On infected or restricted premises, culling proceeds under statutory direction. Movement of poultry meat originating within protection zones is tightly controlled, including the use of a specific identification mark and adherence to the relevant general licences; designated slaughterhouses and approved on‑farm slaughter facilities may be used where conditions are met.
Looking ahead, both the AIPZ and the national housing order are subject to ongoing review and will remain in place until further notice. Farm businesses, event organisers and local authorities should keep contingency plans current, monitor APHA alerts and review declarations and risk assessments as GOV.UK updates are issued.