The UK’s bird flu crisis deepened with a second confirmed case in Norfolk in just days, prompting a nationwide poultry housing order.
Defra confirmed a highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza outbreak at a commercial poultry site near Dereham in the Breckland area of Norfolk on Thursday. A 1.9 mile (3km) protection zone and a 6.2 mile (10km) surveillance zone have been established at the location, and all poultry present will be humanely destroyed. This follows a case confirmed near Dersingham in west Norfolk on Monday.
On Wednesday, an avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ) was put in place across England and Scotland to lessen the chance of more outbreaks. It came after a series of detections of the virus in wild birds and poultry. On Friday, the guidance was amended to cover owners of 50 or more birds and owners of fewer than 50 birds if they sell poultry products.
A mandatory poultry and captive bird housing Avian Influenza Prevention Zone is now in force across England. Check https://t.co/YaTEeBaojt for details and for advice on housing your birds: https://t.co/NfH2fO0vbA pic.twitter.com/UN8RHrvcxL
The growing danger has led the UK’s chief veterinary officer to announce a mandatory poultry housing order for the entirety of England, which demands that all keepers with 50 or more poultry or captive birds confine their flocks indoors starting Friday November 13.
The order is also valid for individuals who sell or provide eggs, poultry products, or live birds, though certain exceptions exist, including particular zoo birds. An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone has likewise been created nationwide, mandating the immediate adoption of mandatory enhanced biosecurity measures.
The total number of bird flu instances detected in the UK this autumn to date is nine. The UK Health Security Agency said that the risk to the public’s health is very low.
🐤Avian Influenza: Surrey Poultry Vet Dr Henrietta Kodilinye-Sims offers advice to birdkeepers if they suspect #birdflu in their flock 🔗Find out more: https://t.co/u0dIhnd52o pic.twitter.com/MCzsyUrpQs
A spokesperson for Defra said: “We do not currently anticipate any impact overall on the availability of Christmas turkeys or other seasonal poultry for consumers.” Although potentially devastating for bird flocks, Defra says the current risk to human health from avian influenza “remains very low”, and the Food Standards Agency has confirmed that properly cooked poultry and eggs remain safe to eat.
Bird keepers in England who keep 50 or more poultry or other captive birds must house them from Friday, November 13, under a new mandatory housing order. The UK Chief Veterinary Officer has introduced the measure due to an increased risk of bird flu. 🔗 https://t.co/kt1YjmZ5xd pic.twitter.com/AiBUPlwxcz
A Wales-wide Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) with mandatory biosecurity will come into force across the whole of Wales from noon on Monday 16 November 2026. Check https://t.co/O10ApPDG5M for more info: https://t.co/G6lqMn8uBf pic.twitter.com/RayQoyM2nS
