Avian influenza outbreak timeline
Avian influenza, also known as bird flu is a highly pathogenic disease that mainly affects poultry. Avian influenza is a notifiable disease, and if you suspect any type of the disease in captive birds, you must report it immediately.
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In you are in England, call the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301.
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If you are in Wales, call 0300 303 8628.
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In Scotland, contact your local Field Services Office.
If you suspect avian influenza in wild birds, you should call the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77.
Find out how our range of biosecurity services and plans can help you mitigate your risks.

Near Market Rasen, West Lindsey, Lincolnshire
11 April 2026
Prepare to let birds outside again from 9 April
2 April 2026
Mandatory housing measures for poultry and other captive birds will be lifted in England and Wales from 00:01am on Thursday 9 April 2026.
As birds may have been housed for several months, there is a 7 day notice period to give keepers time to prepare. Keepers should follow the guidance on preparing to let birds outside again, including cleansing and disinfecting hard surfaces, fencing off ponds or standing water and reintroducing wild bird deterrents.
Birds must still be housed if you are in a protection zone or captive bird (monitoring) controlled zone. All keepers must continue to follow strict biosecurity measures to prevent bird flu and stop it spreading.
Mandatory biosecurity measures remain in place in England, Scotland and Wales.
Near Omagh, County Tyrone
5 March 2026
Near Pickering, Thirsk and Malton, North Yorkshire
3 March 2026
Near Ancroft, Northumberland
14 February 2026
Near Penicuik, Scottish Borders
12 February 2026
Near Needham Market, Suffolk
30 January 2026
Near Penicuik, Scottish Borders
24 January 2026
Near Bacton, Mid Suffolk, Suffolk
19 January 2026
Near Bacton, Mid Suffolk, Suffolk
19 January 2026
Near Breckland, Norfolk
19 January 2026
Near York, North Yorkshire
15 January 2026
Near Penicuik, Scottish Borders
15 January 2026
Near Breckland, Norfolk
15 January 2026
Near York, North Yorkshire
13 January 2026
Near Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland
11 January 2026
Near Grassington, North Yorkshire
9 January 2026
Newark-on-Trent, Newark & Sherwood, Nottinghamshire
8 January 2026
Near Blairgowrie, Perth and Kinross, Scotland
5 January 2026
Near Newark-on-Trent, Newark & Sherwood Nottinghamshire
31 December 2025
Near Newark-on-Trent, Newark & Sherwood Nottinghamshire
30 December 2025
Near Bridgwater, Somerset
29 December 2025
Near Alvechurch, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire
27 December 2025
Newark-on-Trent, Newark & Sherwood, Nottinghamshire
26 December 2025
Near Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland
24 December 2025
York, North Yorkshire
24 December 2025
Near Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland
22 December 2025
Near Breckland, Norfolk
22 December 2025
Near Market Rasen, West Lindsey, Lincolnshire
21 December 2025
Near Breckland, Norfolk
20 December 2025
Near Bicester, Oxfordshire
20 December 2025
Near Penicuik, Scottish Borders, Scotland
18 December 2025
Near Brockworth, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire
18 December 2025
Near Welton, West Lindsey, Lincolnshire
14 December 2025
Near Newington, Kent
13 December 2025
Near Breckland, Norfolk
8 December 2025
Near Sudbrooke, West Lindsey, Lincolnshire
6 December 2025
Near Gainsborough, West Lindsey, Lincolnshire
5 December 2025
Near Newington, Kent
3 December 2025
Near Chedburgh, Suffolk
3 December 2025
Near Alderley Edge, Cheshire
2 December 2025
Near Breckland, Norfolk
30 November 2025
Near Mendip, Somerset
29 November 2025
Near Gainsborough, West Lindsey, Lincolnshire
28 November 2025
Near Ely, Cambridgeshire
27 November 2025
Near Hythe, Kent
25 November 2025
Near Breckland, Norfolk
25 November 2025
Near Dalton-in-Furness, Cumbria
24 November 2025
Near Gainsborough, West Lindsey, Lincolnshire
23 November 2025
Near Swaffham, Norfolk
23 November 2025
Near Claydon, Suffolk
21 November 2025
Near Driffield, East Riding of Yorkshire
19 November 2025
Near Babergh, Suffolk
18 November 2025
Near Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, Wales
18 November 2025
Near Doncaster, South Yorkshire
16 November 2025
Near Teignbridge, Devon
15 November 2025
Near Watton, Norfolk
15 November 2025
Near Swaffham, Norfolk
15 November 2025
Near Carmarthenshire, Wales
14 November 2025
Near Gosforth, Cumbria
13 November 2025
Near Poringland, Norfolk
13 November 2025
Welsh Government AIPZ declaration
13 November 2025
Near Lanark, Scotland
12 November 2025
Near Woodbridge, Suffolk
12 November 2025
Near County Monaghan
10 November 2025
Near Welshpool, Powys in Wales
9 November 2025
Near Malvern, Worcestershire
8 November 2025
Near Lisnaskea, County Fermanagh
7 November 2025
Near Pomeroy, County Tyrone
7 November 2025
Near Feltwell, Norfolk
7 November 2025
Near Attleborough, Norfolk
7 November 2025
Near East Lindsey, Lincolnshire
7 November 2025
Near Thirsk, North Yorkshire
7 November 2025
Near Fylde, Lancashire
6 November 2025
Near Pembrokeshire, Wales
6 November 2025
Near South Kesteven, Lincolnshire
5 November 2025
Near Wyre, Lancashire
5 November 2025
Mandatory housing Northern Ireland
5 November 2025
AIPZ housing measures England
5 November 2025
Near Wells-Next-The-Sea, Norfolk
4 November 2025
Near Lisnaskea, County Fermanagh
3 November 2025
Near Wealden, East Sussex
3 November 2025
Near Crediton, Mid Devon, Devon
3 November 2025
Near Thirsk, North Yorkshire
3 November 2025
Near Pomeroy, County Tyrone
2 November 2025
Near Easingwold, North Yorkshire
2 November 2025
AIPZ in Northern Ireland
1 November 2025
Near Donington, Lincolnshire
1 November 2025
Near Honington, Suffolk
1 November 2025
Near Boston, Lincolnshire
31 October 2025
Near Wealden, East Sussex
31 October 2025
Near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk
31 October 2025
Near Pembrokeshire, Wales
31 October 2025
Housing measures in England
30 October 2025
Near Silloth, Cumbria
30 October 2025
Near Brandon, Suffolk
29 October 2025
Near Newington, Kent
27 October 2025
Near Lakenheath, Suffolk
26 October 2025
Near Penrith, Cumbria
25 October 2025
Near Bedale, North Yorkshire
25 October 2025
Near Burscough, Lancashire
24 October 2025
Near Penrith, Cumbria
18 October 2025
Near Wybunbury, Cheshire
13 October 2025
Near Stockbridge, Test Valley, Hampshire
11 October 2025
Near Omagh in Co Tyrone
3 October 2025
Near Wetheral, Cumbria
28 September 2025
Near Exminster, Teignbridge, Devon
31 August 2025
Near Evercreech, Frome, Somerset
28 August 2025
Updated AIPZ biosecurity
20 August 2025
Near Dulas, Ynys Môn, Wales
9 August 2025
Near Seaton, East Devon, Devon
8 August 2025
Near Lifton, West Devon, Devon
8 August 2025
Near Attleborough, Breckland, Norfolk
6 August 2025
Near Banff, Aberdeenshire
1 August 2025
Near Yeovil, Yeovil, Somerset
31 July 2025
Near Attleborough, Breckland, Norfolk
30 July 2025
Near Tiverton, Mid Devon, Devon
30 July 2025
Near Dulverton, Tiverton and Minehead, Somerset
28 July 2025
Near Tow Law, Bishop Auckland, County Durham
25 July 2025
Near Glyn Ceiriog, Wrexham
24 June 2025
Near Linton-on-Ouse, North Yorkshire
20 June 2025
Near Stanhope, Bishop Auckland, Durham
17 June 2025
Near Ravensthorpe, Kirklees, West Yorkshire
11 June 2025
Lifting mandatory housing measures
22 May 2025
Near Pokesdown, Dorset
18 May 2025
AIPZ housing measures lifted
15 May 2025
Near Thirsk, Thirsk & Malton, North Yorkshire
14 April 2025
Near Stanhope, Bishop Auckland, Durham
2 April 2025
Near Thirsk, Thirsk & Malton, North Yorkshire
1 April 2025
Near Pickering, Thirsk and Malton, North Yorkshire
30 March 2025
Near Lazonby, Cumbria
29 March 2025
Near Romsey, Test Valley, Hampshire
29 March 2025
Near Wymondham, Diss, Norfolk
28 March 2025
Near Blaydon, Durham
28 March 2025
Near Thirsk, North Yorkshire
27 March 2025
Near Blaydon, Durham
26 March 2025
Daviot, near Inverness, Scotland
18 March 2025
Near Thirsk, North Yorkshire
13 March 2025
Near Thirsk, North Yorkshire
12 March 2025
Near Thirsk, North Yorkshire
6 March 2025
Near Kington, Herefordshire
4 March 2025
Near Malpas, Cheshire
26 February 2025
Near Driffield, East Riding of Yorkshire
26 February 2025
Near Fownhope, Herefordshire
25 February 2025
Near Teignbridge, Devon
19 February 2025
North Norfolk Coast grey seals
18 February 2025
Near Market Weighton, Yorkshire
18 February 2025
Near Market Weighton, Yorkshire
18 February 2025
Near Market Weighton, Yorkshire
18 February 2025
Near Snettisham, Norfolk
16 February 2025
Magherafelt, County Londonderry
13 February 2025
Bird gatherings ban England
10 February 2025
Near Bodmin, Cornwall
9 February 2025
Near Bromborough, Merseyside
9 February 2025
Near Market Weighton, Yorkshire
8 February 2025
Near Pocklington, Yorkshire
7 February 2025
AIPZ across Wales
30 January 2025
AIPZ across England extended
27 January 2025
AIPZ across Scotland declared
25 January 2025
Near Easingwold, North Yorkshire
21 January 2025
Near Wem, Shropshire
20 January 2025
AIPZ introduced in Northern Ireland
18 January 2025
Near Bridgend, County Donegal
18 January 2025
Near Rye, East Sussex
17 January 2025
Black Lough, County Tyrone
16 January 2025
Near Kirriemuir, Angus
10 January 2025
Near Nafferton, Yorkshire
31 December 2024
Near Beverley, Yorkshire
28 December 2024
Regional AIPZ update England
21 December 2024
Near Beverley, Yorkshire
19 December 2024
Near Watton, Norfolk
17 December 2024
Near Attleborough, Norfolk
17 December 2024
Gayton, Norfolk
16 December 2024
Attleborough, Norfolk
16 December 2024
Near Cranworth, Norfolk
14 December 2024
Regional AIPZ declared
13 December 2024
Near Beverley, East Yorkshire
10 December 2024
Near Dereham, Norfolk
10 December 2024
Near Watton, Norfolk
9 December 2024
Near Watton, Mid Norfolk
5 December 2024
Near St Ives, Cornwall
18 November 2024
Near East Riding, Yorkshire
5 November 2024
Near Hutton Cranswick, Yorkshire
14 February 2024
Near Cranbook, Devon
29 November 2023
Near Wooler, Northumberland
27 November 2023
Near Finstown, Orkney Islands
23 November 2023
Near South Holland, Lincolnshire
9 November 2023
Near Strichen, Aberdeenshire
23 October 2023
Sheshader, Isle of Lewis
27 September 2023
Near Tingwall, Shetland Islands
15 September 2023
Near Lower Barvas, Isle of Lewis
15 September 2023
Near Peterhead, Aberdeenshire
10 September 2023
Near Warrington, Cheshire
8 September 2023
Near Uttoxeter, Staffordshire
7 September 2023
Near Ness, Isle of Lewis
28 August 2023
Near Lower Barvas, Isle of Lewis
22 August 2023
Near Forfar, Angus
18 August 2023
Near Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway
17 August 2023
Near Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway
14 August 2023
Near Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire
14 August 2023
Near Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire
14 August 2023
Near Lochcarron, Highland
9 August 2023
Near Portsoy, Aberdeenshire
8 August 2023
Near Stornoway, Isle of Lewis
8 August 2023
Near Folkestone, Kent
20 July 2023
Near Banff, Aberdeenshire
9 July 2023
GB-wide AIPZ lifted
4 July 2023
Near Copeland, Cumbria
2 July 2023
Near Arun, West Sussex
30 June 2023
Near Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire
24 May 2023
Near Wealden, East Sussex
18 May 2023
Near Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire
16 May 2023
Near Ringstead, North Northamptonshire
29 April 2023
Near Doncaster, South Yorkshire
29 April 2023
Near Montgomeryshire, Powys, Wales
27 April 2023
Near Powys, Wales
23 April 2023
Near East Riding of Yorkshire, Yorkshire
13 April 2023
Near Montgomeryshire, Powys
13 April 2023
Near Teignbridge, Devon
31 March 2023
Near Dumfries, Scotland
20 March 2023
Near Eden, Cumbria
10 March 2023
Near Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria
23 February 2023
Near Thetford, Norfolk
21 February 2023
Near Stirling, Scotland
15 February 2023
Near Newtown, Powys
12 February 2023
Near Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria
9 February 2023
Near Powys, Wales
6 February 2023
Near Crossgates, Scotland
2 February 2023
Near Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland
28 January 2023
Near Grantown on Spey, Scotland
24 January 2023
Near Clackmannanshire, Scotland
24 January 2023
Near Highland, Scotland
21 January 2023
Near Bakewell, Derbyshire
17 January 2023
Near Cromer, Norfolk
12 January 2023
Near Wells-next-the-sea, Norfolk
12 January 2023
Near Aberdeenshire, Scotland
12 January 2023
Near Taverham, Norfolk
10 January 2023
Near Leominster, Herefordshire
10 January 2023
Near Langwathby, Cumbria
9 January 2023
Near Fakenham, Norfolk
4 January 2023
Near Diss, Norfolk
30 December 2022
Near Forfar, Angus
29 December 2022
Near Skirlaugh, Yorkshire
24 December 2022
Near Bishops Castle, Shropshire
24 December 2022
Near Ladybank, Fife
22 December 2022
Near Horley, Surrey
21 December 2022
Near Diss, Norfolk
20 December 2022
Near Creiff, Kinross
17 December 2022
Near Hornsea, Yorkshire
15 December 2022
Near Pickering, Yorkshire
15 December 2022
Forres, Scotland
14 December 2022
Near Much Marcle, Herefordshire
13 December 2022
Near Redgrave, Suffolk
11 December 2022
Near Redgrave, Suffolk
8 December 2022
Near Banff, Aberdeenshire
7 December 2022
Near Frome, Somerset
7 December 2022
Near Kidsgrove, Staffordshire
7 December 2022
Near Colden Common, Hampshire
5 December 2022
Near Highclere, Hampshire
5 December 2022
Near Dorchester, Dorset
1 December 2022
Near Woodbridge, Suffolk
30 November 2022
Near Mileham, Norfolk
29 November 2022
NI and Wales housing order
28 November 2022
Near Aberdeenshire, Scotland
27 November 2022
Near Worcester, Worcestershire
26 November 2022
Near Taverham, Norfolk
23 November 2022
Near Easingwold, Yorkshire
23 November 2022
Near Napton on the Hill, Warwickshire
23 November 2022
Near Barnard Castle, Durham
21 November 2022
Near Stafford, Staffordshire
20 November 2022
Near North Kesteven, Lincolnshire
20 November 2022
Near Derby, Derbyshire
20 November 2022
Near Aberdeenshire, Scotland
20 November 2022
Near Aberdeenshire, Scotland
18 November 2022
Near Richmondshire, North Yorkshire
18 November 2022
Near Oundle, Northamptonshire
16 November 2022
Near Thorpe Culvert, Lincolnshire
16 November 2022
Near Oundle, Northamptonshire
15 November 2022
Near Birdlip, Gloucestershire
15 November 2022
Near Arundel, West Sussex
14 November 2022
Near Oundle, Northamptonshire
14 November 2022
Near Doveridge, Derbyshire
14 November 2022
Near Halesworth, Suffolk
13 November 2022
Near Solihull, West Midlands
11 November 2022
Near Fakenham, Norfolk
11 November 2022
Near Northallerton, Yorkshire
10 November 2022
Near Hale, Cheshire
10 November 2022
Near Hale, Cheshire
10 November 2022
Near Hatton, Derbyshire
9 November 2022
Near Wymondham, Norfolk
9 November 2022
Near Chester, Cheshire
8 November 2022
Near Tattenhall, Cheshire
8 November 2022
Near Peterborough, Northamptonshire
7 November 2022
Near Buckley, Wales
7 November 2022
Near Metheringham, Lincolnshire
6 November 2022
Near Reepham, Norfolk
6 November 2022
Near Fakenham, Norfolk
6 November 2022
Near Breckland, Norfolk
5 November 2022
Near Turriff, Scotland
5 November 2022
Near Blackpool, Lancashire
4 November 2022
East Ayrshire, Scotland
4 November 2022
Near Breckland, Norfolk
3 November 2022
Near Halesworth, Suffolk
3 November 2022
Near Lancaster, Lancashire
3 November 2022
Near Breckland, Norfolk
2 November 2022
Near Boston, Lincolnshire
2 November 2022
Near Taverham, Norwich
2 November 2022
Near Leyland, Lancashire
1 November 2022
Near Grimsby, Lancashire
1 November 2022
Near Thirsk, North Yorkshire
1 November 2022
Mandatory housing England declared
31 October 2022
Near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire
31 October 2022
Near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
31 October 2022
Near Breckland, Norfolk
26 October 2022
Near Breckland, Norfolk
26 October 2022
Near Leyland, Lancashire
26 October 2022
Near North Walsham, Norfolk
26 October 2022
Near Louth, Lincolnshire
26 October 2022
Near Blackpool, Lancashire
24 October 2022
Paignton, Devon
24 October 2022
Near Norwich, Norfolk
20 October 2022
Near Norwich, Norfolk
20 October 2022
Near Breckland, Norfolk
19 October 2022
Near Leyland, Lancashire
19 October 2022
Near Norwich, Norfolk
19 October 2022
Near Hull, Yorkshire
19 October 2022
Near Breckland, Norfolk
18 October 2022
Near Breckland, Norfolk
18 October 2022
Near Horsham, West Sussex
18 October 2022
Near Breckland, Norfolk
18 October 2022
Near King’s Lynn, Norfolk
18 October 2022
Near Breckland, Norfolk
17 October 2022
National AIPZ declared
17 October 2022
Near Anglesey, Wales
16 October 2022
Near Ipswich, Suffolk
16 October 2022
Near Crewe, Cheshire
16 October 2022
Near Thetford, Norfolk
16 October 2022
Near Wymondham, Norfolk
16 October 2022
Near Breckland, Norfolk
15 October 2022
Near Fakenham, Norfolk
15 October 2022
Near Breckland, Norfolk
15 October 2022
Near Breckland, Norfolk
15 October 2022
Near Attleborough, Norfolk
14 October 2022
Near Attleborough, Norfolk
14 October 2022
Near Malvern, Worcestershire
14 October 2022
Near Orkney, Scotland
14 October 2022
Near Thetford, Norfolk
13 October 2022
Near Grantham, Lincolnshire
13 October 2022
Near Braintree, Essex
13 October 2022
Near Great Bernera, Isle of Lewis
12 October 2022
Near Braintree, Essex
12 October 2022
Great Bernera, Isle of Lewis, Scotland
12 October 2022
Near Grantham, Lincolnshire
12 October 2022
Near Grantham, Lincolnshire
12 October 2022
Near Breckland, Norfolk
12 October 2022
Near Norwich, Norfolk
11 October 2022
Near Norwich, Norfolk
11 October 2022
Near Norwich, Norfolk
11 October 2022
Near King’s Lynn, Norfolk
11 October 2022
Near Preston, Lancashire
11 October 2022
Near Ely, Cambridgeshire
11 October 2022
Near Thetford, Norfolk
10 October 2022
Near Thetford, Norfolk
10 October 2022
Near Norwich, Norfolk
10 October 2022
Near Thetford, Norfolk
10 October 2022
Near Thetford, Norfolk
10 October 2022
Near Thetford, Norfolk
10 October 2022
Near Braintree, Essex
9 October 2022
Near Maldon, Essex
9 October 2022
Near Norwich, Norfolk
9 October 2022
Near Burscough, West Lancashire
9 October 2022
Near Leek, Staffordshire
8 October 2022
Near Bury St Edmunds, Norfolk
8 October 2022
Near Maldon, Essex
8 October 2022
Near Braintree, Essex
7 October 2022
Near Mendip, Somerset
7 October 2022
Near Thetford, Norfolk
7 October 2022
Near Norwich, Norfolk
6 October 2022
Near Thetford, Norfolk
6 October 2022
Near Thetford, Norfolk
5 October 2022
Near Ipswich, Suffolk
4 October 2022
Near Faringdon, Oxfordshire
4 October 2022
Near Thetford, Norfolk
1 October 2022
Near Thetford, Norfolk
1 October 2022
Near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
1 October 2022
Near Lowestoft, Suffolk
29 September 2022
Near York, North Yorkshire
28 September 2022
Near Norwich, Norfolk
27 September 2022
Near Blackpool, Lancashire
24 September 2022
Near Ipswich, Suffolk
24 September 2022
Near Thetford, Norfolk
23 September 2022
Near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
22 September 2022
Near York, North Yorkshire
22 September 2022
Near Dartington, Devon
20 September 2022
Near Thetford, West Suffolk
19 September 2022
Near Shropham, Norfolk
19 September 2022
Near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
17 September 2022
Near Clacton-on-Sea, Essex
17 September 2022
Near Crewe, Cheshire
16 September 2022
Near Pembrokeshire, Wales
9 September 2022
Near Torpoint, Cornwall
8 September 2022
Near Bridlington, Yorkshire
6 September 2022
Near Maldon, Essex
6 September 2022
Near Gwynedd, Wales
5 September 2022
Near Holt, Norfolk
3 September 2022
Near Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire
3 September 2022
Near South Molton, Devon
2 September 2022
Near Bridlington, Yorkshire
28 August 2022