Avian Influenza Prevention Zone Introduced Amid Rising Bird Flu Cases

Strategic Insights -

The UK government has introduced an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) in response to a surge in highly pathogenic avian influenza cases in wild birds and new cases in poultry and kept birds. The zone, with additional housing measures, has been introduced for north, central, and parts of eastern England to mitigate the risk of further outbreaks. The affected areas include several counties and unitary authorities, with measures applying to keepers who have more than 50 birds and those who sell or give away eggs or poultry products. The declaration took effect on October 30, 2025, and bird keepers are advised to check if they are in a bird flu disease zone and take action to prevent the spread of the disease.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) has been introduced for north, central, and parts of eastern England to mitigate the risk of further outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza.
  • The affected areas include Cheshire, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Durham, 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 measures apply to keepers who have more than 50 birds and those who sell or give away eggs or poultry products, requiring them to house their birds to protect them from bird flu.
  • Bird keepers in the affected areas must take enhanced biosecurity measures, including reporting changes in egg production, mandatory record keeping, disinfecting footwear, and cleansing and disinfecting housing and concrete walkways on a continuous basis.
  • The AIPZ measures require all bird keepers in England to protect their flocks from avian influenza, regardless of whether they have commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock.
  • Keepers in the affected areas must also be vigilant to the requirements of the AIPZ and take additional steps to protect their birds.
  • The Housing Order and AIPZ will remain in place until further notice and will be kept under regular review as part of the government's work to monitor and manage the risks of avian influenza.

Statistics:

  • The AIPZ includes 23 counties and unitary authorities: Cheshire, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Durham, 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 measures apply to keepers who have more than 50 birds and those who sell or give away eggs or poultry products.
  • The AIPZ requires bird keepers to take enhanced biosecurity measures, including reporting changes in egg production, mandatory record keeping, disinfecting footwear, and cleansing and disinfecting housing and concrete walkways on a continuous basis.
  • The Housing Order and AIPZ will be in place until further notice and will be kept under regular review as part of the government's work to monitor and manage the risks of avian influenza.

Sources:

  • "DEFRA: Avian Influenza Prevention Zone" (2025)
  • "UKHSA: Avian Influenza Risk" (no date)
  • "Government of England: Avian Influenza Prevention Zone" (2025)