The number of confirmed avian flu cases across the UK has reached 80, following a series of new detections in commercial and captive bird flocks over the Christmas period, authorities have confirmed.
The latest case was confirmed on 29 December and involves highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in a flock of non-commercial captive birds near Bridgwater in Somerset. A three-kilometre captive bird monitoring zone has been declared around the premises, and all affected birds will be humanely culled.
Earlier, on 27 December, the virus was confirmed in a large commercial poultry flock near Alvechurch in Worcestershire.
Another case was confirmed on 26 December at a commercial poultry premises near Newark-on-Trent in Nottinghamshire, after the virus was initially suspected earlier that day.
On 24 December, two further major outbreaks were recorded, including a second large commercial poultry unit near Penicuik in the Scottish Borders and a large commercial flock near York in North Yorkshire.
Government figures for the 2025 to 2026 outbreak season show that England has recorded 65 confirmed cases, Scotland has recorded four cases, Wales has recorded seven cases and Northern Ireland has recorded four cases, bringing the UK total to 80.
The first case of the current outbreak season was confirmed in England on 11 October, with subsequent cases detected in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in the weeks that followed.
Great Britain remains under an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone, with mandatory housing measures in place in England since 6 November and in Wales since 13 November. Poultry keepers are legally required to follow strict biosecurity and hygiene rules, including housing birds in many circumstances.
Although the risk level for poultry exposure to HPAI H5 has been reduced from very high to high, authorities say outbreaks are still occurring regularly, particularly where biosecurity measures are inadequate. Under international animal health rules, the UK is no longer considered free from highly pathogenic avian influenza, and disease control and surveillance measures remain in place as officials continue efforts to contain the spread.