The rapid rise in cases of avian influenza reported during December has started to slow over the past week, with three new cases confirmed.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed on 2 January 2022 in captive birds at a premises near Eton, Windsor & Maidenhead, Berkshire. All birds on the infected premises will be humanely culled. A 3km Captive Bird (Monitoring) Controlled Zone has been put in place around the premises.
On 31 December 2021 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in birds at two premises near Mablethorpe, East Lindsey, Lincolnshire and near Louth, East Lindsey, Lincolnshire.
All birds on the infected premises will be humanely culled. A 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone has been put in place around each of the premises.
An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) came into force across Great Britain on the 3 November 2021, and in Northern Ireland on the 17 November 2021. This was extended to include housing measures across the UK on the 29 November 2021.
These measures mean that it is a legal requirement for all bird keepers across the UK (whether they have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock) to keep their birds indoors and follow strict biosecurity measures to limit the spread of and eradicate the disease.
There are currently 61 cases in England, five in Scotland, three in Wales, and five in Northern Ireland, making the autumn and winter of 2021 / 22 the worst ever year for AI in the UK.
