Since October 1, 2022, there have been 117 confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in England.
Since the H5N1 pandemic started in October 2021, there have been 251 cases of (HPAI) H5N1 in England.
If you are in a bird flu illness zone, you must adhere to the zone’s regulations.
Update, November 20
The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) subtype H5N1 has been found in three commercial poultry facilities: at Brailsford, Derbyshire; near Derby; and near Nottingham. Dales, Derbyshire (AIV 2022/209) adjacent to Wheaton Aston, South Staffordshire (AIV 2022/210) adjacent to Ruskington, North Kesteven (AIV 2022/211).
A 3 km protective zone and a 10 km surveillance zone around each of the properties.
As a result of the effective completion of disease control efforts and surveillance in the zones, the 3km protection zone has ended, and the area that comprised the protection zone is now a component of the 10km surveillance zone.
second properties in the vicinity of Dartington, South Hams, Devon (AIV 2022/76) and Hadleigh, Babergh, Suffolk (AIV 2022/80).
Update, November 18
On 18 November 2022, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was identified in commercial poultry at Leyburn, Richmondshire, North Yorkshire (AIV 2022/207). A 3 km protective zone and a 10 km surveillance zone encircle the property. All fowl on the property will be culled humanely.
Recent GOV.UK news items
In England, mandatory housing regulations for all poultry and captive birds are currently in effect.
Determine the applicable measures in England: AIPZ declaration containing measures for housing.
A new package of measures to assist the poultry business with avian flu has been unveiled.
All avian influenza cases and illness areas
Locate information regarding all bird flu cases and illness zones in England.
Find information about avian flu cases in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Bird flu advice
Discover how to:
Find information regarding avian flu vaccination.
Risk levels
The danger of highly pathogenic (HPAI) H5 avian influenza in wild birds in the United Kingdom is rated as extremely high (the event occurs almost certainly).
The risk of poultry exposure to HPAI H5 in the United Kingdom is rated as high (events occur frequently) (with low uncertainty) when there are significant biosecurity breaches and poor biosecurity, and as moderate (events occur frequently) (with high uncertainty) when good biosecurity measures are implemented.
Discover the evidence that informed these risk and outbreak assessments’ decisions.
According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), bird flu is predominantly a disease of birds, and the risk to public health is minimal.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has stated that avian flu poses a negligible threat to the food safety of British consumers. It is safe to consume properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs.
Bird flu webinars
The avian influenza’stop the spread’ webinars explain what you can do to safeguard your birds, whether you have pet birds, commercial flocks, or even just a few birds in your backyard.
Status as free-range and organic
Eggs
If you are in a bird flu disease zone with housing measures, you can maintain your free-range status as long as the housing measures do not exceed 16 weeks.
Birds will regain their status as free-range when:
Contact your responsible sector authority or organic certification organization if you are concerned about losing your organic or free-range designation if housing measures extend longer than 16 weeks.
Meat
Under EU poultry meat marketing regulations, keepers who are forced by the government to house their birds may retain their free-range designation so long as the birds have spent at least half of their lives with access to outside areas or during a stipulated 12-week grace period.
If birds are confined for more than 50 percent of their lives outside of the 12-week grace period, they cannot be sold as free-range.
Depending on the species, “traditional free-range” and “free-range – ultimate freedom” birds must have daytime access to outdoor runs from a specific age. For “Traditional free range” hens, the minimum age for slaughter is 6 weeks, with a maximum age of 81 days.
If a chicken is housed over the 12-week grace period and after the first six weeks of its existence, it will lose its capacity to earn “Traditional free-range” status and will never be able to do so again. For birds to be considered “Free-range – absolute freedom,” they must have constant access to outdoor runs. If they continue to be housed beyond the grace period, they will lose their free-range status and will never achieve “free-range – ultimate freedom” status.
For longer-term concerns regarding the potential loss of status, such as organic or free-range, you should engage the relevant sector organization or organic certifying agency.
Policies and contingency plans of Defra
Defra prevents the spread of avian influenza by adhering to:
Defra has provided information to aid land managers, the general public, and ornithological and environmental organizations in responding to the escalating threat posed by bird flu.
The mitigation strategy for avian influenza in wild birds in England and Wales describes how these groups, along with the government and its delivery partners, can reduce the impact of avian influenza on wild bird populations while protecting public health, the wider environment, and the rural economy.
Determine how to report the discovery of dead wild birds.
avian influenza legislation
The legislation in England includes:
For Scotland go to the Scottish Government website..
For Wales go to the Welsh Government website.
For Northern Ireland go to the DAERA-NI website.