Bird flu (avian influenza): latest situation in England
Bird flu has been confirmed in poultry and captive birds across England. The government is working closely with the poultry industry to control the disease and protect public health. The national Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) was introduced across Great Britain on 29 November last year and remains in place. A 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone are also in place around infected premises.
What is bird flu?
Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a viral disease that affects birds. It can be highly contagious and can cause severe illness and death in birds. The virus can also spread to humans, although this is rare.
Symptoms of bird flu in birds
The symptoms of bird flu in birds can include:
- sudden death
- respiratory distress
- coughing
- sneezing
- discharge from the nose or eyes
- swelling of the head or neck
- diarrhoea
- loss of appetite
Symptoms of bird flu in humans
The symptoms of bird flu in humans can include:
- fever
- cough
- sore throat
- muscle aches
- diarrhoea
- vomiting
- conjunctivitis
- pneumonia
How is bird flu spread?
Bird flu is spread through contact with infected birds or their droppings. This can happen when people come into contact with:
- infected poultry
- infected wild birds
- contaminated surfaces
- contaminated food or water
How to protect yourself from bird flu
There are a number of things you can do to protect yourself from bird flu, including:
- avoiding contact with infected birds or their droppings
- washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water after coming into contact with birds
- cooking poultry thoroughly before eating it
- avoiding eating raw or undercooked eggs
- not touching your face after coming into contact with birds or their droppings
What is the government doing to control bird flu?
The government is working closely with the poultry industry to control the disease and protect public health. This includes:
- implementing strict biosecurity measures on poultry farms
- vaccinating poultry against bird flu
- culling infected birds
- restricting the movement of poultry and poultry products
- monitoring the spread of the disease
Latest situation in England
As of 28 January 2025, there have been 205 confirmed cases of bird flu in poultry and captive birds in England. The majority of cases have been in commercial poultry flocks, although there have also been cases in backyard flocks and captive birds.
The government is continuing to monitor the situation closely and is working to control the disease and protect public health.
Advice for poultry keepers
If you keep poultry, you should follow the latest government advice on biosecurity measures to reduce the risk of infection. This includes:
- keeping your birds indoors or in a covered area
- cleaning and disinfecting your premises regularly
- not sharing equipment with other poultry keepers
- not bringing new birds onto your premises without first quarantining them
Advice for the public
The public should not be alarmed by the current situation. The risk of bird flu to human health is very low. However, it is important to follow the advice above to reduce the risk of infection.
If you have any concerns about bird flu, please contact your local Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) office.
Bird flu (avian influenza): latest situation in England
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