Guidance

Avian influenza (bird flu): latest update

Know the latest risk to your poultry and pet birds and steps you must take.

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First published:
12 June 2018
Last updated:

Avian Influenza Prevention Zone - Update

Following the latest assessment of risk in relation to poultry from avian influenza, the Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales announced on 11 April, the mandatory housing measures for poultry and captive birds will be lifted across Wales. This means from 00:01 on the 18 April 2023 keepers may, if they choose to, allow their birds outside. 

The Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) will remain in force across Wales until further notice.  This means all bird keepers in Wales (whether they have pet birds, a commercial or a backyard flock) must continue to abide by the mandatory biosecurity measures and complete the mandatory biosecurity self-assessment checklist until further notice.

While the risk levels have reduced, infection may still be present in the environment. All bird keepers should take proactive measures to prepare outside areas ahead of the safe release of their birds. Read our guidance on how to prepare for when your birds can be let outside again.

Consultation launched on new registration rules for all bird keepers in Great Britain

A 12-week public GB-wide consultation has been launched. It seeks views on new registration rules for all bird keepers in Great Britain. The proposed rules include requiring bird keepers to register them and keep their information updated. The proposed changes are part of the government’s work to tackle avian influenza.

You can find details of this consultation at Poultry and other captive birds: registration in Great Britain (on gov.uk).

Standstill introduced for caught up gamebirds

Following a thorough risk assessment, additional precautionary measures have been put in place around the movement of caught up gamebirds in areas where bird flu is present. This will help reduce the risk of the disease spreading and maintain our strict biosecurity standards. These new measures mean that recently caught up birds cannot be moved for 21 days. For the licensing of movement of gamebirds once they are caught up, there is also a requirement that veterinary checks are undertaken on the birds and that birds are not sent to multiple sites.

New compulsory biosecurity and housing measures to further protect against avian influenza

Surveillance of avian influenza suggests a heightened risk of Avian Influenza in Wales over the winter months. Therefore, from Friday 2 December, new compulsory biosecurity and housing requirements have been introduced for poultry and captive birds in Wales.

It is a legal requirement for all keepers to keep their birds indoors or otherwise separated from wild birds. All keepers must also complete and act upon a bespoke biosecurity review of the premises where birds are kept. This is to minimise the risk of virus entry in bird houses, which usually results in high mortality. These measures are in addition to those in the Wales Avian Influenza Prevention Zone, which remain crucially important.

Keepers are advised to consult their vet for advice, where needed.

Mandatory biosecurity self-assessment checklist

Status Update: Avian Influenza Prevention Zone Declared

The Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd has declared an all-Wales Avian Influenza Prevention Zone from the 17 October 2022. The Prevention Zone will apply to the whole of Wales. It will require all bird keepers to adhere to certain biosecurity measures, as set out in the declaration.

Change to bird gathering rules

As of 8 November 2021, gatherings of:

  • galliforme (including pheasants, partridge, quail, chickens, turkey, guinea fowl) birds and
  • anseriforme (including ducks, geese, swans) birds

may no longer take place. This follows an increase in risk from avian influenza.

Amended General Licence for bird gatherings.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus

The risk of HPAI virus (bird flu) increases during the winter. We have identified that migratory waterfowl and gulls are the most likely cause of HPAI incursion. (Migratory wildfowl include ducks, geese and swans.) This is based on experience over the last two winters, coupled with scientific and veterinary opinion.

Avian Influenza in wild birds

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) carries out year-round avian influenza surveillance of dead wild birds. This is submitted via public reports and warden patrols.

There have been multiple recent findings of HPAI H5N1 in wild birds from sites across GB. For further details see the report (updated weekly) of findings of HPAI in wild birds in Great Britain and our outbreak assessments.

If you find dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or other dead wild birds, such as gulls or birds of prey, you should report them to the Defra helpline: 03459 33 55 77.

Do not touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick wild birds that you find.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) will collect some of these birds and test them to help us understand how the disease is distributed geographically and in different types of bird.

More information on how to report and dispose of wild birds.

More information on Defra and Welsh Government's approach to avian influenza is available in the Mitigation Strategy for Avian Influenza in Wild Birds. 

Confirmed cases

Avian influenza has been confirmed in birds at premises in Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Cases in Wales

The following cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 have been confirmed at premises in Wales. Further information and current statuses can be found below.

Cases in England which affect Wales

Cases in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland

For details of cases in:

Avian Influenza – Wales (confirmed at second premises near Newtown, Powys

Avian influenza: Wales (confirmed near Newtown, Powys)

Status update: 27/04/2023 - Avian influenza has been confirmed at a premises near Newtown, Powys.

Avian Influenza has been confirmed at a premises near Newtown, Powys on 27 April.

A 3km Protection Zone and a 10km Surveillance zone have been put in place around the infected premises. Details of the measures that apply within these zones can be found in the declaration.

Check where disease control zones are currently located and if you are in a zone on the Animal and Plant Health Agency interactive map.

Avian influenza: Wales (confirmed near Montgomery, Powys)

Status update: 17/05/2023 - Lifting of the Protection Zone (avian influenza).

Avian Influenza was confirmed at a premises near Montgomery, Powys on 23 April.

The 3km Protection Zone in place around the premises has been lifted. A 10km Surveillance Zone remains in place around the infected premises. Details of the measures that apply within this zone can be found in the declaration.

Avian influenza: Wales (confirmed near Newtown, Powys)

Status update: 13/04/2023 - Avian influenza has been confirmed at a premises near Newtown, Powys.

Avian Influenza has been confirmed at a premises Newtown, Powys on 13 April.

A 3km Protection Zone and a 10km Surveillance zone have been put in place around the infected premises. Details of the measures that apply within these zones can be found in the declaration.

Check where disease control zones are currently located and if you are in a zone on the Animal and Plant Health Agency interactive map.

Avian Influenza – Wales (Confirmed at second premises near Newtown, Powys)

Status Update: 13/03/2023 – Lifting of the zones (Avian Influenza).

Avian Influenza was confirmed at a premises near Newtown, Powys, on 12 February.

Following successful completion of disease control activities within the zone, the Captive Bird (Monitoring) Zone has been revoked.

Status update: 12/2/2023 - Avian influenza has been confirmed at a second premises near Newtown, Powys.

Avian Influenza has been confirmed at a premises Newtown, Powys on 12 February.

A 3km Captive Bird (Monitoring) Zone has been put in place around the infected premises. Details of the measures that apply within this zone can be found in the declaration.

Check where disease control zones are currently located and if you are in a zone on the Animal and Plant Health Agency interactive map.

Avian influenza: Wales (confirmed near Newtown, Powys)

Status Update: 13/03/2023 – Lifting of the zones (Avian Influenza).

Avian Influenza was confirmed at a premises near Newtown, Powys, on 6 February.

Following successful completion of disease control activities within the zone, the Captive Bird (Monitoring) Zone has been revoked.

Status update: 6/2/2023 - Avian influenza has been confirmed at a premises near Newtown, Powys.

Avian Influenza has been confirmed at a premises Newtown, Powys on 6 February. 

A 3km Captive Bird (Monitoring) Zone has been put in place around the infected premises. Details of the measures that apply within this zone can be found in the declaration. 

Check where disease control zones are currently located and if you are in a zone on the Animal and Plant Health Agency interactive map.

Avian Influenza: England (confirmed near Tattenhall, Cheshire)

Status Update: 09/02/2023 – Lifting of the zones (Avian Influenza).

Avian Influenza was confirmed at a premises near Tattenhall, Cheshire on 8 November. 

Following successful completion of disease control activities within the zone, the Protection Zone and Surveillance Zone have been revoked.

Avian Influenza: Wales (Confirmed near Buckley, Flintshire) 

Status Update: 20/12/2022 – Lifting of the zone (Avian Influenza).

Avian Influenza was confirmed at a premises near Buckley, Flintshire on 7 November.

Following successful completion of disease control activities within the zone, Captive Bird (Monitoring) Zone has been revoked.

Avian Influenza: Wales (Confirmed near Amlwch, Anglesey)

Status Update: 25/11/2022 – Lifting of the zones (Avian Influenza).

Avian Influenza was confirmed at a premises near Amlwch, Anglesey on 23 October. 

Following successful completion of disease control activities within the zone, the Protection Zone and Surveillance Zone have been revoked.

Avian Influenza: Wales (Confirmed near Dwyran, Anglesey )

Status Update: 23/11/2022 – Lifting of the zones (Avian Influenza)

Avian Influenza was confirmed at a premises near Dwyran, Anglesey on 16 October. 

Following successful completion of disease control activities within the zone, the Protection Zone and Surveillance Zone have been revoked.

Avian Influenza – Wales (Confirmed near Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire)

Status update: 31/10/2022 - The Surveillance Zone has been revoked.   

Avian influenza was confirmed at a premises near Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire on 9 September 2022.

Following successful completion of disease control activities, on 31 October – the Surveillance Zone has been revoked.

Avian Influenza – Wales (Confirmed near Arthog, Gwynedd)

Status update: 07/10/2022 - The Surveillance Zone has been revoked.   

Avian influenza was confirmed at a premises near Arthog, Gwynedd on 5 September 2022.

Following successful completion of disease control activities, on 7 October – the Surveillance Zone has been revoked

Confirmed case near Newtown, Wales

Status update: 30/03/2022 - The Surveillance Zone and the Restricted Zone have been revoked.   

Avian influenza was confirmed at a premises near Newtown, Powys on 21 February 2022.

Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance within the zone, on 30 March – the Surveillance and the Restricted Zone have been revoked.

Confirmed case near Welshpool, Powys

Status update: 30/03/2022 - The Surveillance Zone and the Restricted Zone have been revoked.   

Avian influenza was confirmed at a premises near Welshpool, Powys on 21 February 2022.

Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance within the zone, on 30 March – the Surveillance and the Restricted Zone have been revoked.

Confirmed case near Cheshire, England

Status update: 29/03/2022 - The Surveillance Zone and the Restricted Zone have been revoked.   

Avian influenza was confirmed at a premises near Tattenhall in Cheshire, England on 13 January. 

Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance within the zone, on 29 March – the Surveillance and the Restricted Zone have been revoked.

Confirmed case on Anglesey, Wales

Status update: 27/12/2021 - The Surveillance Zone and the Restricted Zone have been revoked.   

Avian influenza was confirmed in a backyard flock on the Isle of Anglesey on 25 November 2021. Following further testing this was confirmed as highly pathogenic avian influenza on 26 November 2021.

Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance within the zone, on 27 December - the Surveillance Zone and the Restricted Zone have been revoked.    

Confirmed case in Shropshire, England

Status update: 09/02/2022 - The Surveillance Zone and the Restricted Zone have been revoked.   

Avian Influenza was confirmed at a premises in Shropshire, England on 15 December. 

Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance within the zone, on 9 February 2022, the disease control zones in England and the Surveillance Zone and the Restricted Zone in Wales have been revoked.

Confirmed case near Clifford, Herefordshire, England

Status update: 25/01/2022 - The Protection Zone, Surveillance Zone and Restricted Zone have been revoked.   

Avian Influenza was confirmed at a premises in Herefordshire, England on 10 December 2021. 

Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance within the zone, on 25 January 2022, the disease control zones in England and the Protection Zone, Surveillance Zone and the Restricted Zone in Wales have been revoked.

Confirmed case near Crickhowell, Wales

Status update: 10/01/2022 - The Surveillance Zone and the Restricted Zone have been revoked.   

Avian influenza was confirmed at a premises near Crickhowell, Powys on 3 December 2021.

Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance within the zone, on 10 January 2022 the Surveillance Zone and the Restricted Zone have been revoked.

Confirmed case near Leominster, Herefordshire, England

Status update: 14/01/2022 - The Surveillance Zone and the Restricted Zone have been revoked.   

Avian Influenza was confirmed at a premises in Herefordshire, England on 2 December. 

Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance within the zone, on 14 January 2022, the disease control zones in England and the Surveillance Zone and the Restricted Zone in Wales have been revoked.

Confirmed case at Wrexham County Borough, Wales

Status update: 03/12/2021 - The Surveillance Zone and the Restricted Zone have been revoked.

Avian influenza was confirmed in a backyard flock in Wrexham County on 1 November 2021. Following further testing this was confirmed as highly pathogenic avian influenza on 2 November 2021.

Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance within the zone, on 3 December the Surveillance Zone and the Restricted Zone have been revoked.

Higher Risk Areas (HRAs)

Migratory waterfowl and gulls pose a threat as they could introduce this virus onto premises where poultry, game birds, pet or other captive birds are kept. This could be through direct contact, or indirect contact, such as via bird droppings. We have identified areas of GB which are at increased risk of the introduction of the HPAI virus into poultry and kept birds from wild waterfowl. We refer to these as 'Higher Risk Areas' (HRAs).

You should note that, although these areas are at increased risk, all poultry could be at risk from wild birds. Including:

  • game birds
  • poultry kept as pets

HRAs: frequently asked questions (FAQs) 

What measures are required in a HRA?

We use HRAs to:

  • target wild bird and statutory surveillance programmes
  • highlight the areas of GB at greatest risk of bird flu being present in wild birds

We may consider extra biosecurity through the declaration of an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ). The declaration of such a zone would be risk-based.

Mandatory housing of free range birds would not necessarily be introduced in HRAs alone. Any decision to house birds anywhere in GB would be according to risk considerations.

If you are planning a new poultry unit you should take into account the risk of HPAI in that area.

What should I do if I keep poultry or captive birds?

If you keep poultry, including game birds, pet or other captive birds anywhere in GB, you should review your biosecurity. This is particularly important if you are in or close to a higher risk area. We encourage all keepers to follow our biosecurity advice. It offers best practice, whether you have commercial flocks, smaller flocks, game birds, or pet birds.

Is my holding in/near a Higher Risk Area?

You are considered to be in an HRA if the whole or part of your premises falls within the HRA.

First published

12 June 2018

Last updated

Part of