The UK’s bird flu outbreak has risen to 45 confirmed cases across the 2025–26 season, with several new clusters identified in recent days. England continues to be the centre of the outbreak with 35 cases, while Wales has recorded six, Northern Ireland three, and Scotland one.
The most recent confirmation came on 16 November, when highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was detected in a large commercial poultry unit near Thorne in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The previous day, another major commercial unit near Swaffham in Breckland, Norfolk, also tested positive. Both sites are now covered by 3km protection zones and 10km surveillance zones, and all poultry on the affected premises will be humanely culled as part of the national response.
Further cases were confirmed on 15 November in smaller flocks, including a backyard flock near Watton in Breckland, Norfolk, and a group of ornamental captive birds near Dawlish in Teignbridge, Devon. Each location has been placed under a 3km Captive Bird Monitoring Controlled Zone, with all birds on site due to be culled.
In Wales, HPAI H5N1 was confirmed on 14 November in a backyard flock near Pontyberem in Carmarthenshire, prompting the creation of a 3km Captive Bird Monitoring Controlled Zone. Scotland recorded its first case of the season on 12 November at a large commercial flock near Lanark in South Lanarkshire, where standard 3km protection and 10km surveillance zones have been implemented.
Earlier outbreaks this week include infections detected on 13 November in a commercial flock near Poringland in South Norfolk and a backyard flock near Gosforth in Cumberland, Cumbria, and on 12 November in a commercial poultry unit near Woodbridge in East Suffolk. All affected premises are subject to disease control zones and mandatory culling.
Great Britain remains under an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone, and England currently enforces mandatory housing measures for many bird keepers. Flocks of more than 50 birds must be housed indoors, while smaller flocks kept solely for personal use may remain outside; however, if eggs, meat or birds are sold or given away, housing becomes compulsory regardless of flock size. Biosecurity rules continue to apply across England, Scotland and Wales.
The first detections of the outbreak season were confirmed in Northern Ireland on 9 October, in England on 11 October, in Wales on 25 October and in Scotland on 12 November. Under international rules, the UK is no longer considered free from highly pathogenic avian influenza.