Avian flu cases have continued to emerge in England just days after mandatory housing measures were lifted, underlining the ongoing risk to poultry farms despite the easing of restrictions.
On17 April Defra confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in a fourth large commercial poultry unit near Gainsborough, West Lindsey, Lincolnshire. This follows earlier confirmations on 14 April, when the disease was found at a third premises near Gainsborough and also near Great Shelford, South Cambridgeshire, Cambridgeshire, and on 11 April at a site near Market Rasen in Lincolnshire.
In each case, authorities confirmed that a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone has been declared around the premises and that all poultry on the premises will be humanely culled.
On 9 April, the housing order that has been in place through the winter months was lifted, though officials stressed that “you must continue to follow the mandatory biosecurity measures.” Within days of that change, a series of new infections were confirmed in eastern England.
The latest developments come during what has already been a significant outbreak season. The first case of HPAI H5N1 of the 2025 to 2026 outbreak season was confirmed in October 2025.
Across the UK, there have now been 100 confirmed cases of HPAI H5N1 this season, including 79 in England, alongside a single low pathogenic case. The concentration of recent cases in Lincolnshire, one of the country’s key poultry-producing regions, is likely to be of particular concern to producers.
The guidance to industry remains unchanged, with officials urging keepers to “take action to prevent bird flu and stop it spreading” and to “be vigilant for signs of disease and report it to keep your birds safe.”