More avian influenza cases recorded across Great Britain
Seven cases of H5N1 have been confirmed in the past ten days.
In the past week, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 has been confirmed in several locations across Great Britain.
The Animal Plant Health Agency (APHA) has introduced a number of Controlled Zones in response to these cases, which accompany an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) across all of Great Britain.
On 18 October, H5N1 was confirmed at a premises near Penrith, Westmorland and Furness in Cumbria. As a result of this, a 3km Protection Zone and a 10km Surveillance Zone were put in place around the premises.
Six days later, on 24 October, HPAI H5N1 was found in other captive birds at a premises near Burscough, Lancashire. A 3km Captive Bird (Monitoring) Controlled Zone was declared around this premises.
On 25 October, APHA confirmed a further three cases of H5N1 across the country.
Cases have been identified at a premises near Bedale in Yorkshire and a second premises in Penrith. There is also a reported case of H5N1 in Wales, with a case confirmed near Cynwyd in Denbighshire.
Each premises has a 3km Protection Zone and a 10km Surveillance Zone in place.
A case of H5N1 was confirmed in Lakenheath, Suffolk on 26 October, with a 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone put in place. Meanwhile, on 27 October, a confirmed case at Newington in Kent has resulted in a 3km Captive Bird (Monitoring) Controlled Zone around the premises.
The nationwide AIPZ means that all bird keepers in Great Britain must follow stringent biosecurity measures. This is in addition to any Controlled Zone restrictions in their area.
The latest disease control zones for avian influenza can be viewed on the government’s interactive map.
There is advice for each type of disease control zone here. Bird keepers can also access biosecurity guidance on the APHA website.
Image © Shutterstock
The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.
