Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) have confirmed multiple cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 during 12–16 November 2025. Great Britain remains in an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ), with mandatory housing measures in England from 6 November. Statutory disease control zones are in place around affected premises and infected birds will be humanely culled.
On 16 November, H5N1 was confirmed at a large commercial poultry unit near Thorne, Doncaster, South Yorkshire (AIV 2025/104). APHA has imposed a 3 km protection zone and a 10 km surveillance zone centred on the premises. Movement controls and enhanced biosecurity apply within both zones and culling is proceeding on site.
On 15 November, APHA confirmed H5N1 at a large commercial unit near Swaffham, Breckland, Norfolk (AIV 2025/103). The statutory 3 km and 10 km zones were declared and the flock will be culled. Additional confirmations the same day included a small backyard flock near Watton, Breckland (AIV 2025/102) and a small group of ornamental captive birds near Dawlish, Teignbridge, Devon (AIV 2025/101). For these smaller premises, 3 km Captive Bird (Monitoring) Controlled Zones were established and all birds will be culled.
Welsh Government reported a confirmed H5N1 infection on 14 November in a small backyard flock near Pontyberem, Carmarthenshire (AIV 2025/100). A 3 km Captive Bird (Monitoring) Controlled Zone applies and the birds will be culled in line with Wales’ notifiable disease procedures.
On 13 November, APHA identified H5N1 in a large commercial flock near Poringland, South Norfolk (AIV 2025/99) with protection and surveillance zones now in force. A further case was confirmed the same day in a small backyard flock near Gosforth, Cumberland, Cumbria (AIV 2025/98), where a 3 km Captive Bird (Monitoring) Controlled Zone has been declared and culling is under way.
On 12 November, a large commercial premises near Woodbridge, East Suffolk, tested positive for H5N1 (AIV 2025/97) and came under 3 km and 10 km controls. The Scottish Government also confirmed H5N1 in a large commercial flock near Lanark, South Lanarkshire (AIV 2025/96), with equivalent disease control zones in place.
The 2025 to 2026 outbreak season opened with the first UK confirmations on 9 October in Northern Ireland and 11 October in England, followed by Wales on 25 October and Scotland on 12 November. To date, England has recorded 35 confirmed H5N1 cases, Scotland 1, Wales 6 and Northern Ireland 3, giving a UK total of 45. Under World Organisation for Animal Health rules, the UK is not currently free from HPAI.
AIPZ measures apply across Great Britain. In England, mandatory housing now requires keepers with more than 50 birds to house them, regardless of species. Keepers with fewer than 50 birds who keep them solely for their own use do not have to house them, but anyone with fewer than 50 birds who sells or gives away eggs, meat or live birds must house them because, in law, those birds are classed as poultry.
Within declared protection and surveillance zones, movements of poultry, eggs, manure, used bedding and other risk items are restricted. Most movements require either compliance with a published general licence or a specific licence issued by APHA. Keepers should review site plans, vehicle flows and cleansing and disinfection points to meet the requirements set out in the zone declarations and to evidence compliance to inspectors.
Bird gatherings in England may take place only outside disease control zones and subject to licensing. A specific licence is required to hold a gathering of poultry, while gatherings of other captive birds must meet the conditions of a general licence. In areas of England where mandatory housing applies under the AIPZ, gatherings of most poultry are not permitted.
Vaccination remains restricted. Poultry and most captive birds cannot be vaccinated against bird flu in England. Vaccination is permitted only for eligible zoo birds with prior authorisation from APHA. Defra and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate continue to monitor vaccine developments and the avian influenza vaccination taskforce oversees research and potential deployment pathways.
APHA’s latest assessment rates the risk of H5 incursion in wild birds in Great Britain as very high. The risk of exposure for poultry is very high where biosecurity is suboptimal, and medium where stringent measures are maintained consistently. UK Health Security Agency advises that the risk to public health remains very low. The Food Standards Agency assesses the food safety risk as very low; properly cooked poultry products, including eggs, remain safe to eat.
Authorities continue to monitor impacts on wild birds. Defra’s mitigation strategy for England and Wales sets out actions for land managers, ornithological groups and public bodies to reduce mortality and manage environmental risks. The public should not touch dead or sick wild birds and should report findings through the established channels. In AIPZ areas, feeding wild gamebirds is prohibited within 500 metres of premises with more than 500 poultry or captive birds. Garden bird feeding remains permissible, but hygiene measures, including regular cleaning of feeders and water baths, are advised.
Avian-origin influenza in mammals is notifiable in Great Britain. Vets and laboratories must report suspected infection or detection of influenza A virus or antibodies in wild or kept mammals without delay. Cases should be reported to APHA on 03000 200 301 in England, 03003 038 268 in Wales, or via the local Field Services Office in Scotland. Failure to report is an offence.
Disease control is underpinned by established legislation, including the Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (England) (No. 2) Order 2006 and subsequent amendments, the Avian Influenza (H5N1 in Wild Birds) Orders, the Avian Influenza (Preventive Measures) Regulations 2006, the Exotic Animal Disease and Exotic Disease (Amendment) Orders, the Transport of Animals (Cleansing and Disinfection) (England) Order 2003, the Diseases of Animals (Approved Disinfectants) (England) Order 2007 and the Avian Influenza (Vaccination) (England) Regulations 2006.
For keepers and supply chains, immediate priorities are to confirm their location against the official disease zone map, implement housing where required, maintain visitor and vehicle logs, deploy approved disinfectants at entry points and secure licences for essential movements. Retailers and processors should review contingency arrangements for collection, labelling and transport during restricted movement periods. APHA’s ‘Stop the Spread’ webinars remain available for commercial, backyard and pet bird keepers and set out biosecurity good practice.