As of 26 February 2026, Defra and APHA have eased several disease control zones. The 3km protection zone near York ended on 20 February, Newark-on-Trent’s 10km surveillance zone was lifted on 24 February, and Needham Market in Suffolk moved from a protection zone into surveillance on 26 February. Norfolk and Kent restrictions were also rolled back in recent days. (gov.uk)

For northern keepers this is welcome, but it is not a free pass. When a protection zone ends it typically drops into a surveillance zone; near York a surveillance zone remains in force at the time of writing, so movement rules, record‑keeping and strict hygiene still apply around affected holdings. (gov.uk)

Further north, APHA confirmed H5N1 in other captive birds near Ancroft, Northumberland, on 14 February, placing a 3km captive bird (monitoring) controlled zone around the site. Birds on the premises are being humanely culled, with monitoring continuing in the zone. (gov.uk)

Housing remains the rule under the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ). If you keep 50 or more birds, you must house them. Small keepers with fewer than 50 birds do not have to house if birds are for personal use only; if you sell or give away eggs, birds or produce, they count as poultry and must be housed. (gov.uk)

There is a limited exemption route on welfare grounds for certain species such as ducks, geese, ratites or birds for restocking game. It requires a written statement drawn up with your private vet, setting out the biosecurity you will apply; keep that statement for 12 months as inspectors can ask to see it. (gov.uk)

The risk picture remains elevated. APHA assesses the risk of H5 in wild birds as very high. For poultry, exposure risk is high where biosecurity is sub‑par and medium where it is applied stringently. UKHSA says the public‑health risk is ‘very low’, and the Food Standards Agency confirms properly cooked poultry and eggs remain safe to eat. (gov.uk)

Since 1 October 2025, the UK has recorded 94 confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza cases this season - 74 in England, 9 in Scotland, 7 in Wales and 4 in Northern Ireland - plus one low‑pathogenic case. First confirmations this season fell on 11 October (England), 25 October (Wales), 12 November (Scotland) and 9 October (Northern Ireland). Under WOAH rules the UK is not currently free from HPAI. (gov.uk)

Practical steps for this week: check the Defra disease control map so you know which rules apply to your holding; if you need to move birds, eggs, litter or manure, check whether a licence is required; keep foot‑dips mixed at the right strength, clean down wheels and cabs, cover feeders and deter wild birds. Several of these are mandatory under the AIPZ declarations. (gov.uk)

Out on the moors, estuaries and wetlands, don’t handle dead or sick birds - report them and wash your hands afterwards. Within the AIPZ you must not feed wild gamebirds within 500 metres of premises holding more than 500 captive birds, and garden feeders should be cleaned regularly, the British Trust for Ornithology advises. (gov.uk)

Bird events are still tightly managed. Gatherings are permitted under a general licence only for racing pigeons, birds of prey and parrots; other species need a specific licence, and gatherings are not allowed inside disease control zones. (gov.uk)

Vaccination is not permitted for poultry or most captive birds in England. Licensed zoos can apply for APHA authorisation, and Defra with the Veterinary Medicines Directorate continues to track vaccine development. Separately, influenza of avian origin is notifiable in mammals: if you suspect or detect influenza A in a wild or kept mammal, report it immediately on 03000 200 301 in England. APHA’s public log also records a confirmed H5N1 infection in a domestic sheep in Yorkshire in March 2025 linked to avian cases on the same site. (gov.uk)