Defra and APHA have stepped down several temporary disease zones after clean surveillance results. On 16 February 2026, 10km surveillance zones were revoked for premises near Gainsborough (West Lindsey) and York, and both the protection and surveillance zones ended near Chedburgh (West Suffolk). A new H5N1 finding in other captive birds near Ancroft, Northumberland, on 14 February triggered a 3km captive‑bird monitoring zone that remains in place. (gov.uk)

APHA’s current assessment remains stark for wildlife and practical for keepers: the risk of HPAI H5 in wild birds is very high, and exposure risk to poultry is high with poor biosecurity and medium where strong measures are in place. (gov.uk)

An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) continues to apply in England alongside mandatory housing. Keepers with 50 or more birds must house them; flocks under 50 kept only for personal use are exempt, but if you sell or give away eggs, meat or live birds you must also house. The AIPZ page was updated on 28 January 2026-check the live declaration before making changes. (gov.uk)

Since this season began on 1 October 2025, the UK has confirmed 94 HPAI H5N1 cases in kept birds: 74 in England, 9 in Scotland, 7 in Wales and 4 in Northern Ireland, plus 1 LPAI case. Previous seasons recorded 82 cases (2024–2025), 6 (2023–2024) and 207 (2022–2023). Under WOAH rules, the UK is not currently free from HPAI. (gov.uk)

For keepers, biosecurity-not luck-decides outcomes. Separate ducks and geese from other birds, exclude wild birds from feed and water, and fence or net standing water. Keep sheds watertight and pest‑proof; clean hard surfaces and kit with Defra‑approved disinfectants, maintain clean overalls and dedicated footwear or foot‑dips at entrances, and restrict access to essential people only. Larger sites should treat the live‑bird area as a stand‑alone biosecure zone and keep clear visitor and movement records. These Defra/APHA measures materially cut exposure risk. (gov.uk)

Shows and sales can proceed only within tight rules. Outside disease control zones, gatherings of psittacines, birds of prey and racing pigeons may run under a general licence with seven days’ notice to APHA; events involving poultry and other captive birds need a specific licence and robust on‑site controls. Always confirm zone status and licence conditions before advertising or moving birds. Defra can tighten or withdraw permissions at short notice, and breaches risk enforcement and unlimited fines. (gov.uk)

Land managers can limit impacts on wildlife and livelihoods with proportionate steps. Defra’s mitigation strategy for wild birds in England and Wales, updated on 27 January 2026, prioritises targeted carcass management, clear on‑site information and coordinated monitoring with conservation bodies. From 1 January 2026, Natural England added conditions to several general licences near SSSIs to avoid excessive disturbance that could spread the virus among priority species. Use Defra’s printable signage and refresh risk assessments for hides, feeding points and water access. (gov.uk)

For households that feed garden birds, hygiene makes the difference. The British Trust for Ornithology advises regular cleaning of feeders and bird baths with a diluted bleach solution, rotating feeder positions, removing spilled seed and pausing feeding for at least two weeks if you see sick or dead birds. Do not touch carcasses; report dead wild birds via the government service and wash hands after any contact with droppings or feathers. (bto.org)

Monitoring tools help target effort. APHA’s weekly wild‑bird findings and the interactive ArcGIS map and dashboard show where positives are being detected and where mortality reports are clustering, giving estate teams evidence to time disturbance reduction or temporary path changes during peaks. (gov.uk)

Avian‑origin influenza can infect mammals too. APHA documents confirmed detections in non‑avian wildlife and in captive mammals, with vets required to report suspect cases immediately. Surveillance focuses on unusual deaths and neurological signs, with testing via the Diseases of Wildlife Scheme. If you manage sites with seal haul‑outs, otter habitat or mustelids, build biosecurity into staff protocols and carcass handling. (gov.uk)

Vaccination remains tightly controlled. Routine vaccination of poultry is not permitted in England; APHA can authorise vaccination of zoo birds case‑by‑case. A cross‑government vaccination taskforce continues to assess vaccine options and trade‑compliant DIVA approaches, but the control strategy for now remains early detection, rapid stamping‑out where required, and rigorous biosecurity. (gov.uk)

Public‑health advice is steady. UKHSA continues to judge the risk to the wider public as very low and focuses monitoring on people with high‑risk exposures. The Food Standards Agency says properly cooked poultry and eggs remain safe to eat; food safety guidance has not changed. Workers with high‑risk exposures should seek rapid access to antivirals per UKHSA protocol. (gov.uk)