Bird flu cases across UK reach 81 as new outbreak confirmed in England
The number of confirmed bird flu cases across the UK has risen to 81 during the 2025-26 outbreak season, following the latest confirmation of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 at a large commercial poultry unit in Nottinghamshire.
According to Defra, 66 cases have been confirmed in England, alongside seven in Wales, four in Scotland and four in Northern Ireland since the current outbreak began in October. The UK is no longer considered free from highly pathogenic avian influenza under international animal health rules.
The most recent confirmed case was reported on 31 December 2025 at a commercial poultry premises near Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire. The infection was identified as H5N1 following further testing of a suspected case first reported the previous day.
Earlier this week, on 29 December, H5N1 was also confirmed in a flock of non-commercial captive birds near Bridgwater, Somerset, prompting the declaration of a 3km captive bird monitoring zone.
Several disease control zones across England have meanwhile been lifted after successful completion of surveillance and control measures. Protection or surveillance zones have ended in parts of Worcestershire, Norfolk, Lancashire, Lincolnshire and North Yorkshire, as well as areas of England affected by outbreaks in neighbouring Wales.
Defra said the risk to poultry remains high, particularly where biosecurity is suboptimal, although the overall risk level was downgraded slightly from “very high” to “high” on 29 December.
An avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ) remains in force across Great Britain, with mandatory housing measures in place in England and Wales. Poultry keepers with 50 or more birds must keep them indoors, while smaller keepers who sell eggs, meat or live birds are also required to house their flocks.
The first cases of the current outbreak season were detected in Northern Ireland on 9 October, England on 11 October, Wales on 25 October and Scotland on 12 November 2025. Authorities continue to urge bird keepers to maintain strict biosecurity and report any signs of disease immediately.
