Avian Influenza Prevention Zone declared for England and Scotland
27 January 2025
In response to a further increase in cases across England and new findings in wild birds, an avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ) mandating enhanced biosecurity without housing came into force across the England and Scotland from noon (12:00), Saturday 24th January 2025.
For areas where an AIPZ is in force, it is a legal requirement for all bird keepers (whether they have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock) to follow strict biosecurity measures to limit the spread of and eradicate the disease, including, a requirement to keep their birds housed when mandatory housing measures are a requirement of an AIPZ.
Additional mandatory restrictions also apply in disease control zones in force surrounding infected premises where avian influenza has been confirmed in poultry or other captive birds, including mandatory housing of poultry and other captive birds in any Protection Zones and Captive Bird (Monitoring) Controlled Zones.
Bird keepers can check the declaration for details of the restrictions and gov.uk/birdflu for further advice and information on the AIPZ in England. See gov.scot/birdflu for details of the AIPZ in Scotland.
All bird keepers are asked to be vigilant for signs of disease and report it They are encouraged to keep birds safe, to take action to protect their birds from avian influenza and stop it spreading and to manage their birds housing and welfare when they must be kept housed because of disease outbreaks. Keepers can check if they are in an avian influenza disease control or prevention zone using the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s (APHA) interactive map
The AIPZs will remain in place until further notice and will be kept under regular review as part of the government’s work to monitor and manage the risks of avian influenza.
The current risk to human health remains low and as standard, properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat. UKHSA remains vigilant for any evidence of changing levels of risk and are keeping this under constant review.
Joint Guidance on Avian Influenza was developed by BSAVA, BVA, BVPA and BVZS which covers backyard poultry, wild birds and disease occurrence in mammals, including small animals. The Guide covers information on clinical signs, how to examine suspected cases, diagnosis, testing, biosecurity, zoonotic potential and how to report disease. The Guidance is available here. Case definitions in mammals, including small animals, are available here.
Further information on backyard poultry is available in BSAVA’s ‘Avian influenza in backyard poultry’ Q&A and the collection in the BSAVA Library.