Avian Influenza Protection Zone and mandatory housing announced for England

6 November 2025

In response to the escalating number and expanding area of cases of Avian Influenza in kept and wild birds, an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) with mandatory housing measures to protect poultry & captive birds will be extended to the whole of England from 00:01am Thursday 6th November as follows for:

  • all keepers of over 50 birds

and

  • all keepers who sell or give away eggs or poultry products (even if they keep fewer than 50 birds)

Birds do not have to be housed if the owner keeps less than 50 birds and their eggs or poultry products are for their owner’s use only.

In addition, all of England is in an AIPZ with mandatory biosecurity measures. 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. The AIPZ 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 properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) remains vigilant for any evidence of changing levels of risk and are keeping this under constant review.

Bird keepers can find  information on the latest bird flu situation in England, and guidance for bird keepers and the public, on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bird-flu-avian-influenza-latest-situation-in-england.

Avian Influenza is a notifiable disease, and any suspicion should be reported immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) on 0300 303 8268. 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

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.