Bird flu in the UK now, with zones, signs and how to report

Bird flu in the UK

Bird flu in the UK has returned in kept birds. As of 11 October 2026, official updates list one outbreak this season: H5N5 in backyard poultry at Ness, Isle of Lewis, Scotland. This highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak was confirmed on 2 October (Scottish Government).

No Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) is in force (Defra). National housing measures are lifted in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (Defra; DAERA). Housing is required only in the Ness protection zone, covered below. The latest official case updates are dated 3 to 9 October. Check the live national pages below before you act.

Latest bird flu situation, nation by nation

The bird flu season runs from 1 October to 30 September. For 2026-2027, Defra counts one HPAI outbreak (in Scotland) and no low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) cases. England, Wales and Northern Ireland have no confirmed cases this season (GOV.UK latest situation, updated 3 October 2026).

• Scotland: the Ness case (reference AIV 2026/20) has a 3 km protection zone and a 10 km surveillance zone around it. It is still the only outbreak on the Scottish outbreaks page, last updated 9 October 2026.
• England and Wales: no cases this season. Wales has no surveillance, restricted or controlled zones (Welsh Government).
• Northern Ireland: no cases. DAERA says its HPAI freedom status "remains unchanged" (DAERA latest situation, 8 October 2026).

Great Britain lost its official HPAI freedom status after the Lewis case (GOV.UK latest situation). The Lewis case is H5N5, not H5N1. H5N1 caused the Scottish outbreaks last season (Scottish Government, 2025 to 2026 season). Great Britain recorded 100 HPAI cases and one LPAI case in kept birds that season (GOV.UK).

APHA's 30 September 2026 assessment counted 940 wild bird findings since 1 October 2025: 924 H5N1, 12 H5Nx and four H5N5. Those are earlier surveillance figures, not a count for the new season (APHA assessment).

Current risk levels in Great Britain

APHA raised the risk of bird flu in wild birds from low to medium. For poultry, the risk is low where biosecurity is suboptimal (uncertainty raised to medium) and very low where biosecurity is stringent (GOV.UK latest situation; APHA assessment). These are GB assessments, not Northern Ireland risk levels.

The UK Health Security Agency says bird flu is "primarily a disease of birds and the risk to the general public's health is very low". The Food Standards Agency says the food safety risk for UK consumers is very low, and that properly cooked poultry and eggs are safe to eat. Both statements are on the latest situation page.

Bird flu restrictions and housing

National prevention zones and housing measures have been lifted. Local disease control zones have separate rules.

Sources: Defra, AIPZ lifted, Defra, housing lifted, DAERA AIPZ notice. Scotland's national AIPZ also ended at noon on 4 June 2026 (Scottish Government).

With no AIPZ, biosecurity is advised good practice rather than a legal AIPZ duty. Defra still asked keepers on 9 October 2026 to clean and disinfect housing, equipment and footwear, control rats and mice, keep feed and water away from wild birds, and limit access to ponds. Where possible, keep ducks and geese apart from other poultry (Defra news). In Scotland, keepers of more than 500 birds are advised to restrict non-essential visitors, change clothes and footwear and disinfect vehicles (Scottish Government).

Do you have to keep chickens indoors? As of 11 October, housing controls apply in the Ness protection zone, not across the UK. Birds there must be housed, or isolated if a veterinary inspector considers housing impractical or bad for welfare. Records and movement licences are required, and gatherings and gamebird releases are banned (Ness declaration, Annex 2).

Don't assume every zone has the same housing rules. In England, an AIPZ does not by itself require housing. Housing applies in a protection zone or a captive bird (monitoring) controlled zone (GOV.UK disease control zones). If part of your premises falls inside a Scottish zone, its restrictions cover the whole premises (Scottish Government).

In England the powers behind these zones sit in the Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (England) (No.2) Order 2006 and the Avian Influenza (Preventive Measures) (England) Regulations 2006, which cover AIPZs and housing.

Defra bird flu map and official updates

You need separate pages for each nation's rules. Use the map to locate your premises, then read the relevant zone declaration:

• Defra interactive disease control zone map
• England case finder
• APHA wild bird findings
• Latest situation: England and UK counts, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland

Bird flu symptoms and signs in birds

APHA lists these signs in poultry and other kept birds (GOV.UK avian influenza guidance):

• sudden death, or birds lying down and unresponsive
• lethargy, depression and drooping wings
• discoloured or loose, watery droppings
• eating less, or drinking less or more
• closed, runny eyes
• a sharp drop in egg production, or none at all
• head and body shaking, and fever
• gaping, snicking, sneezing, gurgling or rattling
• a swollen head, or a swollen blue comb and wattles
• lack of coordination, dragging legs, or a twisted head and neck
• bleeding or redness on the shanks and neck

Ducks, geese and swans may show no signs at all. Only a lab test confirms infection (GOV.UK guidance).

How to report sick poultry or dead wild birds

Bird flu in kept birds is a notifiable disease. Report a suspected case straight away to APHA in Great Britain or DAERA in Northern Ireland, even if signs are mild. GOV.UK states: "If you do not report it, you're breaking the law" (GOV.UK).

For dead wild birds in England, Scotland and Wales, call 03459 33 55 77 or use the online reporting service. Don't touch the bird. You can report any dead wild bird, but APHA won't collect every one. It collects one or more dead birds of prey, swans, geese, ducks, gulls, seabirds or waders. For other groups, including corvids, gamebirds, herons and egrets, pigeons and doves, rails and crakes, and songbirds, it collects five or more found in the same place. In Scotland it also collects a single dead blackbird, for Usutu virus surveillance (APHA collection thresholds).

In Northern Ireland, use the DAERA Dead Wild Bird Online Reporting Tool. DAERA says collections are paused for now but still asks people to report (DAERA advice).

If a bird isn't collected, contact the council for public land or the landowner for private land. For small numbers of dead garden birds at homes in England, follow the GOV.UK disposal guidance. Use gloves or a plastic bag to avoid direct contact. Double-bag the bird for household waste. If you bury it, remove the bags and dig a hole at least 60 cm deep. Wash your hands afterwards.

Registering your birds and bird gatherings

In England and Wales you must register within one month of keeping poultry or other captive birds, including pets and flocks under 50. Birds such as parrots, budgies, canaries and finches kept wholly indoors are exempt. Confirm your details every 12 months and report changes within 30 days (GOV.UK, under 50 birds; 50 or more birds). Scotland has its own Scottish Kept Bird Register, which applies even to one bird, and former GB Poultry Register users must register again. In Northern Ireland, all birds except those kept in the home must be registered with DAERA.

Shows, fairs and markets are allowed outside disease control zones under general licences. In England, tell APHA at least seven days before the gathering and keep records for three months (GOV.UK bird gatherings). Scotland and Wales also require seven days' notice under their general licences. Northern Ireland's gatherings ban ended on 15 May 2026 and a general licence now applies.

RegAffairs AI gives a cited answer on UK bird flu with links to the official updates.