Several new cases of avian flu have been confirmed in the past few days, bringing the total number of outbreaks this season to 66.
The most recent case was confirmed in a large commercial poultry flock near Dereham, Breckland, Norfolk. A 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone have been declared around the premises, and all poultry on the site will be humanely culled to limit further spread of the virus.
This follows a number of confirmations earlier in the week. On 6 December, H5N1 was detected in a backyard flock of captive birds near Castle Hedingham, Braintree, Essex, prompting the declaration of a 3km captive bird monitoring controlled zone. On the same day, the virus was also confirmed at a large commercial poultry premises near Sudbrooke in West Lindsey, Lincolnshire, where protection and surveillance zones were imposed and all poultry are being culled.
A day earlier, on 5 December, officials confirmed a third outbreak at a large commercial poultry premises near Gainsborough, also in West Lindsey, Lincolnshire. As with the other commercial cases, 3km protection and 10km surveillance zones were put in place and the birds on the affected site are being humanely culled.
Great Britain remains subject to a national Avian Influenza Prevention Zone, which requires strict biosecurity measures to be followed to reduce the risk of further spread. Mandatory housing measures have been in place in England since 6 November and in Wales since 13 November, meaning many keepers are legally required to keep their birds indoors, depending on the number of birds kept and whether poultry or poultry products are sold or given away.
Confirmed HPAI H5N1 cases for the 2025 to 2026 outbreak season now total 66 across the UK. Of these, 54 have been recorded in England, one in Scotland, seven in Wales and four in Northern Ireland.
The first cases of the current 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. In line with World Organisation for Animal Health rules, the UK is no longer classed as free from highly pathogenic avian influenza, and bird keepers are being urged to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases immediately.