Producers across Northumberland, North Yorkshire and the Trent Valley woke this week to a mixed picture: surveillance zones have been lifted around York and Newark‑on‑Trent, easing local movements, while a new H5N1 finding in captive birds near Ancroft has put a 3km monitoring cordon in place in Northumberland, according to Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency updates on 14–18 February 2026. (gov.uk)

On 18 February, 3km protection zones ended around two premises near Mundford in Norfolk, with linked surveillance zones revoked. Earlier in the week, the York surveillance zone was lifted on 16 February; Newark‑on‑Trent followed on 17 February; and a 10km zone near Gainsborough, West Lindsey, ended on 16 February alongside revocations near Chedburgh in West Suffolk. (gov.uk)

England remains in an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone with housing measures. The rule of thumb is clear: keepers with 50 or more birds must house them; small flocks kept solely for personal use are not required to be housed; but if you sell or give away eggs, meat or birds, you are classed as poultry and must house. Welfare‑based exemptions for some species are possible with a vet’s signed statement. (gov.uk)

This season’s totals explain why winter vigilance continues. By 18 February, England had recorded 74 highly pathogenic H5N1 cases, with 94 across the UK. For context, previous seasons saw 207 HPAI cases in 2022–23, six in 2023–24 and 82 in 2024–25, Defra figures show. (gov.uk)

Risk assessments remain clear‑eyed. Government classifies the risk of H5 in wild birds as very high. For poultry, exposure is judged high where biosecurity is weak, and medium where stringent measures are maintained - a reminder that foot dips, covered feed, vermin control and tight visitor rules matter daily. (gov.uk)

Public health agencies continue to stress calm. UKHSA says bird flu is primarily a disease of birds and that the risk to the public remains “very low”. The Food Standards Agency adds that the food safety risk is very low and properly cooked poultry and eggs are safe to eat - reassurance farm shops can share with customers. (ukhsa-newsroom.prgloo.com)

Spring fixtures can still run with care. Outside disease control zones, general licences allow gatherings for psittacines, birds of prey and racing pigeons; mixed or poultry events require a specific licence and at least seven days’ notice to APHA. Organisers from Yorkshire to Northumberland should read the conditions in full before announcing dates. (gov.uk)

For keepers and shoots, AIPZ rules tighten feeding practice. Keep feed covered, keep stations clean and away from water bodies used by wildfowl, and - critically - feed released birds at least 500 metres from any premises with kept birds. Daily carcass checks and prompt reporting remain expected. (gov.uk)

Walkers on the coast and along rivers should avoid contact with sick or dead birds and use Defra’s reporting service for wild bird deaths. Councils and landowners can use government signage and the new wild‑bird mitigation strategy to brief visitors through late winter. (gov.uk)

Vaccination remains off the table for poultry in England. Only licensed zoos can apply to vaccinate, and movements of vaccinated birds are restricted. For farms the main defences remain housing, rigorous biosecurity and rapid reporting to APHA if you spot signs of disease. (gov.uk)

Avian‑origin influenza in mammals is tracked and publicly reported by APHA. Confirmed findings in non‑avian wildlife are recorded and updated; vets and keepers must report suspect cases without delay. (gov.uk)

As of Thursday 19 February 2026, the message for Northern keepers is steady and practical: keep birds housed where required, keep yards tight, check the Defra map before any movement and watch for further notices this week.