Avian Influenza update:
There are no current disease control zones in England.
The UK has self-declared zonal freedom from highly pathogenic avian influenza for Great Britain with effect from 29 March 2024.
The last HPAI outbreak in England was confirmed on 14 February 2024
Previously there have been a total of 298 confirmed Cases of HPAI in England as follows:
- 1 October 2021 to 30 September 2022: 134
- 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2023: 160
- 1 October 2023 to 28 March 2024: 4
Keepers should remain vigilant and practice stringent biosecurity to protect the health and welfare of their birds. Find out how to protect your birds in the gov biosecurity guidance.
Feeding wild birds
You can feed wild birds but always wash your hands with soap and water afterwards. Avoid areas that have premises where poultry or captive birds are kept. Wild birds can spread bird flu to captive birds.
If you feed wild birds in your garden, read advice from the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) to keep feeders and water baths clean. This will help to stop bird flu and other diseases spreading between different birds.
Health risk:
The UK Health Security Agency has said that the risk to the public from this bird flu strain is very low. It mainly affects birds.
New Defra requirement’s for registering poultry
In England and Wales existing poultry keepers must register your poultry (or other kept birds) by 1 October 2024. This includes any birds you keep as pets.
All bird keepers must register their birds and update records annually.
New poultry keepers must register within 1 month of keeping poultry on their premises.
You’re breaking the law if you do not register.
How to register your birds with Defra:
Complete the online registration form:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/register-as-a-keeper-of-less-than-50-poultry-or-other-captive-birds
You can also register by email or post using the form register to be a keeper of less than 50 poultry or other captive birds (PDF, 572 KB, 4 pages).
Advantages of registering:
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) will contact you with updates and guidance if there’s a disease outbreak (such as bird flu) in your area
You’ll help prevent the spread of disease and protect all kept birds, including back yard flocks
When registering you will be asked for:
- your contact details
- details of the owner of the birds (if this is not you)
- the location where you keep the birds
- details of the birds you keep (species, number and what you keep them for)
Registration should only take about 5 minutes.
After you have registered:
You’ll need to tell APHA about any changes to:
the details you’ve provided
the number and species of birds you keep
Email your changes to Customer.Registration@apha.gov.uk.
Further reading:
For further practical information on bird flu see the RSPB Avian flu Advice page:
https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/avian-influenza-updates
