Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency confirmed two further H5N1 detections on 1 November 2025 at Honington in West Suffolk and Donington in South Holland, Lincolnshire. These follow three large poultry outbreaks recorded on 31 October in Norfolk, East Sussex and Lincolnshire, and two premises near Milford Haven confirmed by the Welsh Chief Veterinary Officer on 30–31 October. As of 1 November, the season totals stand at 15 cases in England, 3 in Wales and 1 in Northern Ireland, with none in Scotland, taking the UK tally to 19. Defra’s GOV.UK page was updated on 1 November 2025.

Each infected site is now under a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone, and all poultry on the premises will be humanely culled, according to Defra and APHA. A captive-bird case near Silloth in Cumbria announced on 30 October is covered by a 3km captive bird monitoring controlled zone.

England remains in an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone with mandatory biosecurity. From 00:01 on Thursday 30 October, keepers in designated high‑risk counties must house birds if they keep more than 50 of any species, or any number of poultry kept for sale or supply. Keepers with fewer than 50 birds for personal use do not need to house them. The areas include Cheshire, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Durham, the East Riding of Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Merseyside, Norfolk, North Yorkshire, Northumberland, Nottinghamshire, Rutland, Shropshire, South Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Tyne and Wear and West Yorkshire.

The 2025–26 outbreak season began in October, and under World Organisation for Animal Health rules the UK is no longer considered free from highly pathogenic avian influenza. Defra’s running total on 1 November shows 19 confirmed H5N1 cases across the UK. For context, recent seasons recorded 81 cases in 2024–25, 6 in 2023–24, 207 in 2022–23 and 158 in 2021–22.

APHA currently assesses the risk in wild birds as very high. For poultry and other captive birds, exposure is high where biosecurity is weak and low where robust measures are applied consistently. UKHSA continues to judge the risk to the general public as very low, while the Food Standards Agency says properly cooked poultry and eggs remain safe to eat.

Wild bird monitoring remains central to protecting biodiversity this winter. Defra’s mitigation strategy for wild birds in England and Wales sets out practical steps for land managers and local authorities. An interactive mortality map and a live dashboard track findings in wild birds across Great Britain, supported by weekly reports and APHA outbreak epidemiology summaries.

Feeding garden birds is still encouraged, provided hygiene is tight. The British Trust for Ornithology advises keeping feeders and water baths clean and pausing feeding if you see sick or dead birds. Within an AIPZ you must not feed wild gamebirds within 500 metres of a premises with more than 500 captive birds.

Avian‑origin influenza can infect mammals, and APHA treats this as a notifiable condition in both wild and kept mammals. Vets, wildlife professionals and laboratories must report suspected or detected influenza A virus in mammals to APHA immediately. Government dashboards and reports track findings in non‑avian wildlife and in captive mammals to support rapid response.

Bird gatherings are tightly controlled. Outside disease control zones, keepers in England can apply for a specific licence to hold a gathering of poultry and rely on a general licence for other captive birds. Most poultry gatherings are not permitted in areas where housing is mandatory under the AIPZ.

Vaccination remains limited in scope. Poultry and most captive birds cannot be vaccinated in England, while zoos may vaccinate eligible birds with APHA authorisation. Defra and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate continue to monitor vaccine development through the avian influenza vaccination taskforce.

Strong biosecurity is the quickest way to cut risk on farms and smallholdings. APHA guidance emphasises clean clothing and footwear, disinfectant footbaths at entry points, secure housing and netting to keep wild birds out, dedicated equipment for bird areas, covered feed and water, controlled visitor access, isolation of new or returning birds and prompt reporting of illness. Free ‘stop the spread’ webinars offer practical tips for pet keepers and commercial flocks.

With migration in full swing, daily checks matter. Before moving birds or equipment, confirm your status on the disease zone map, review whether a movement licence is required and keep records tidy. Reporting dead wild birds and sticking to housing and hygiene rules protects both flocks and our wild species.