H5N1 bird flu has been confirmed in commercial poultry near Market Rasen, West Lindsey, on Friday 11 April. Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) have put a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone around the site, with the flock to be humanely culled. Movement controls apply within the zones. (gov.uk)

The update lands as housing measures were lifted on Thursday 9 April, meaning birds can return to ranges unless a premises sits inside a protection zone or a captive bird monitoring controlled zone. Officials stress the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) remains in place with mandatory biosecurity. (gov.uk)

In North Yorkshire, the 10km surveillance zone around the earlier outbreak near Pickering, Thirsk and Malton, was revoked on Thursday 9 April after control work and testing. That case, first confirmed on 3 March, is now closed. (gov.uk)

Since 1 October 2025, England has recorded 76 confirmed H5N1 cases in kept birds (and one low‑pathogenic case), with 97 HPAI cases across the UK. Government scientists still rate the risk in wild birds as medium and exposure risk to poultry as low where biosecurity is sound. UKHSA says the risk to the public is very low, and the Food Standards Agency confirms properly cooked poultry and eggs remain safe to eat. (gov.uk)

For free‑range producers on the Wolds and smallholders across West Lindsey, this weekend is about practicalities: managing range access while sticking to AIPZ requirements, double‑checking foot dips and dedicated clothing, and reviewing visitor logs and staff routines if you fall inside the new Lincolnshire zones. (gov.uk)

Officials advise preparing outside areas before letting birds out again: cleanse and disinfect hard surfaces, fence off standing water, remove grazing livestock from ranges for now and re‑introduce wild‑bird deterrents. If flocks have been housed for months, stagger turnout to reduce stress. Those steps sit alongside the everyday basics of the AIPZ-clean kit and vehicles, keep ducks and geese separate, and maintain solid records. (gov.uk)

If you’re inside the Market Rasen protection or surveillance zones, expect tighter rules on housing, litter and any movement of birds, eggs, meat or mammals-many movements require a licence. Check your postcode on the official map and read the case declaration for the exact conditions before moving anything. (gov.uk)

For the public and for keepers, the advice on wild birds is plain: do not touch sick or dead birds, report finds via the GOV.UK service, and wash hands after any contact with droppings or feathers. Health agencies continue to judge risk to people as very low, but staying alert helps protect local flocks. (gov.uk)

Bird fairs and markets are only permitted under licence and never within a disease control zone. There is no poultry vaccination scheme in England; only licensed zoos can apply to vaccinate certain birds under APHA oversight. (gov.uk)

The Northern Ledger will keep tracking updates from Defra and APHA. For now, Lincolnshire producers closest to the new case should work through biosecurity checklists and keepers around Ryedale can return birds to grass, all while staying within AIPZ rules and watching for local notices. (gov.uk)