Defra has confirmed a fresh case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in a small group of ornamental captive birds near Dawlish, Teignbridge, Devon, on 15 November 2025. A 3km Captive Bird (Monitoring) Controlled Zone is in place and all birds on the premises will be humanely culled. For northern producers, it caps a week of fast‑moving updates that already included a backyard flock case near Gosforth, Cumberland, Cumbria, and a large commercial outbreak in South Norfolk.

Across the week, officials confirmed H5N1 in a backyard flock near Pontyberem, Carmarthenshire (14 November); a large commercial flock near Poringland, South Norfolk, and a small backyard flock near Gosforth, Cumberland, Cumbria (both 13 November); a large commercial unit near Woodbridge, East Suffolk, and another large commercial flock near Lanark, South Lanarkshire (both 12 November). Earlier in the period, cases were recorded near Welshpool, Powys (9 November), and near Hallow, Malvern Hills, Worcestershire (8 November).

Cumbrian keepers are operating within a 3km Captive Bird (Monitoring) Controlled Zone around the Gosforth premises. While backyard in scale, the controls are the same principle: restrict movement, tighten hygiene and cooperate with the Animal and Plant Health Agency on culling and cleansing. For smallholders in West Cumbria, that means reviewing housing, feed deliveries and visitor access without delay.

In Norfolk and Suffolk, where many processors and feed firms plug into national supply chains, two large commercial premises have triggered full disease controls. Around Poringland and around Woodbridge there are 3km protection zones and wider 10km surveillance zones. Those zones bring movement restrictions, record‑keeping duties and licensing requirements that ripple through to catchers, hauliers and egg collection routes.

On the Welsh border, the 10km surveillance zone set after the Welshpool case extends into England. Border farms need to check their holding’s position against the official disease zone map before arranging any movements. In the West Midlands, the Worcestershire case near Hallow also carries a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone, with culling at the affected site.

Great Britain remains in an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone. In England, mandatory housing measures apply from 6 November 2025. If you keep more than 50 birds, you must house them. If you keep fewer than 50 birds for your own use only, housing is not required. If you keep fewer than 50 birds but sell or give away eggs, meat or live birds, those birds are treated as poultry and must be housed. The aim is simple: keep captive birds away from wild birds and shared water sources.

Movement rules are tight while these controls are in force. Keepers must follow the rules for their zone and check whether a licence is needed before moving poultry, eggs, by‑products, related material or even certain mammals. Plan ahead: speak to buyers and hauliers early, keep paperwork tidy and assume inspections will check disinfection points, visitor logs and vermin control.

Risk remains high in the wild bird population. Government advisers assess the risk of H5 in wild birds in Great Britain as very high. For poultry, the risk is very high where biosecurity is poor and medium, with high uncertainty, where stringent biosecurity is applied at all times. UKHSA continues to advise that the risk to the general public is very low. The Food Standards Agency says properly cooked poultry and eggs remain safe to eat, with a very low food safety risk for UK consumers.

For anyone seeing dead wild birds, report them via the official channels and avoid contact. You can feed garden birds, but keep feeders and water baths clean and wash hands with soap and water afterwards. In an AIPZ, do not feed wild gamebirds within 500 metres of any premises that keeps more than 500 poultry or captive birds. That rule is designed to cut down contact between wild birds and commercial flocks.

Bird gatherings in England are restricted. If you’re not in a disease control zone, you may apply for a specific licence for a poultry gathering or rely on the general licence for other captive birds, but gatherings for most poultry types are not allowed in areas where housing is mandatory under the AIPZ. Check your zone first, then check the precise licence conditions before organising any event.

There is no poultry vaccination against bird flu in England at this time. Only zoos and licensed collections meeting strict criteria can seek authorisation from APHA to vaccinate certain birds. Defra and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate continue to monitor international vaccine development while the UK avian influenza vaccination taskforce assesses future options.

This season’s tally puts things in context. From October to now, 2025 to 2026 has recorded 42 confirmed HPAI H5N1 cases across the UK: 32 in England, 1 in Scotland, 6 in Wales and 3 in Northern Ireland. Previous seasons ran as follows: 2024 to 2025 saw 81 HPAI cases and 1 LPAI case; 2023 to 2024 recorded 6 HPAI cases; 2022 to 2023 saw 207 HPAI cases and 1 LPAI case; and 2021 to 2022 recorded 158 HPAI cases. The season runs October to September, so early spikes often reflect migration and colder weather.

Mammals can be affected by influenza of avian origin, and it is notifiable in both wild and kept mammals. Vets and laboratories must report suspected cases or any detection of influenza A virus or antibodies immediately: in England call 03000 200 301; in Wales call 03003 038 268; in Scotland contact your local Field Services Office. Failing to report is an offence.

For northern farms, the practical checklist is familiar: house birds where required, refresh foot dips and kit, keep feed and bedding covered, keep records sharp, and check the Defra disease zone map before any move. With zones now in place from Devon to Cumbria and controls brushing the Welsh border, the key is consistency-tight biosecurity every day until the all‑clear is given.