England confirmed a new H5N1 case in commercial poultry near Easingwold, North Yorkshire, on 2 November 2025. A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are in force and on‑site culling will occur. With earlier detections in Suffolk and Lincolnshire on 1 November, the UK’s season total stands at 20 confirmed premises: 16 in England, 3 in Wales and 1 in Northern Ireland. Under WOAH rules the UK is no longer classed free of HPAI.

Mandatory measures remain in England’s avian influenza prevention zone. From 00:01 on 30 October, bird housing is required in designated high‑risk counties if you keep more than 50 birds of any species or any number of poultry; keepers with fewer than 50 birds for private use are exempt. Areas include North Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk-check the official disease‑zone map before any movements.

Risk is elevated in wildlife this autumn: officials assess the likelihood of H5 in wild birds as very high. For kept birds, exposure is high where biosecurity is weak and low where measures are consistently applied, underscoring the value of daily hygiene and controlled access.

For keepers, the quickest wins are practical. Keep feed and water under cover, fence or net ponds, remove feathers and faeces daily, and store bedding sealed and off the ground. Plan staff routes to avoid cross‑contamination and refresh disinfectant foot dips. Government biosecurity guidance provides checklists and posters you can print and pin on every gate.

If you are inside a protection or surveillance zone, some activities are restricted. Low‑risk moves-such as transporting eggs or certain by‑products-may be permitted under a general licence, but other movements need a specific licence with strict conditions and a current biosecurity report. Confirm your zone and licence conditions before booking collections or deliveries.

Events are affected too. Most poultry gatherings are not allowed where housing is required within the AIPZ, while gatherings of other captive birds outside control zones may proceed under a general licence if conditions are met. Always confirm your location and the licence terms before publicising a show or sale.

Vaccination remains off‑limits for poultry in England. Only licensed zoos can vaccinate, subject to APHA authorisation, while Defra and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate continue to monitor candidate vaccines through the avian influenza vaccination taskforce. The current tools are early reporting, rapid culling and tight biosecurity.

Wild bird surveillance is active and public‑facing. APHA’s weekly reports, together with an ArcGIS mortality map and a live dashboard, show where H5 detections are being recorded and help land managers plan signage, carcass collection and staff briefings. Report any dead wild birds via the official service-do not handle them.

Garden feeding can continue if hygiene stays high. The British Trust for Ornithology advises washing feeders with soapy water, refreshing bird baths daily and rotating feeder positions to reduce disease transmission between species-sensible steps that support backyard biodiversity without increasing risk to kept birds.

A One Health lens matters this season. Influenza of avian origin is notifiable in both wild and kept mammals, and confirmed positives in 2025 include seals, otters and foxes; suspected or detected cases must be reported immediately through official channels. This cross‑species vigilance supports early warning, while UKHSA continues to judge risk to the general public as very low.

Practical next steps: check your postcode on the disease‑zone map, brief your team on housing and hygiene, and document movements. For everyone else, avoid contact with sick or dead birds and keep garden feeders clean. Properly cooked poultry and eggs remain safe to eat, and the public health risk stays very low.