In response to increased findings of highly pathogenic avian influenza (commonly known as bird flu) in wild birds and new cases in poultry and kept birds, coupled with heightened risk levels, an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone with housing measures is being introduced for north, central and parts of east of England to mitigate the risk of further outbreaks of the disease.
The affected counties and unitary authorities include Cheshire, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Durham, East Riding of Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Merseyside, Norfolk, North Yorkshire, Northumberland, Nottinghamshire, Rutland, Shropshire, South Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Tyne & Wear, West Yorkshire.
The measures do not apply to hobby keepers, only to keepers who have more than 50 birds, and those that sell or give away eggs or poultry products due to the increased biosecurity risk that comes with trading these products such as vehicle movements. These keepers must keep their birds housed to protect them from bird flu.
The declaration will take effect from 00:01 on October 30, 2025.
Bird keepers are advised to check if they are in a bird flu disease zone on this map and read further advice on how to comply with the requirements. Keepers are encouraged to take action to prevent bird flu and stop it spreading and be vigilant for signs of disease and report it to keep birds safe.
An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) also remains in force across the entirety of Great Britain to mitigate the risk of outbreaks of the disease.
This requires taking enhanced biosecurity measures such as reporting of changes in egg production, mandatory record keeping, disinfecting footwear, and cleansing & disinfecting housing and concrete walkways on a continuous basis
The AIPZ measures apply to all bird keepers whether they have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock and are essential to protecting flocks from avian influenza. Keepers in the areas with housing measures need to be additionally vigilant to the requirements of the AIPZ.
UK chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss said: “Avian influenza can be devastating for poultry farmers and cause serious welfare issues for the birds in their care. The risk of avian flu is seasonally very high which is why we are introducing these measures to help protect livelihoods and animal welfare.
“There is an increasing number of avian influenza cases on commercial farms and in backyard flocks across various counties across England. Prompt action to try and prevent the further spread of disease is now necessary and I would urge bird keepers to comply with the new housing measures.
“Bird keepers should be vigilant to any signs of disease, while continuing to exercise robust biosecurity measures and ensure you report suspected disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.”
