Our timeline of avian influenza in the UK dates back to October 2021 and captures key outbreak and policy moments over the years.
In line with World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) rules, Great Britain is no longer free from highly pathogenic avian influenza. Northern Ireland continues to have self-declared zonal freedom from highly pathogenic avian influenza.听
The Chief Veterinary Officer confirmed the first case of HPAI H5N5 of the season in a commercial poultry premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, Yorkshire.
The risk levels have raised to high for wild birds. For poultry, the levels have been increased to low, but heightened, where there is suboptimal or poor biosecurity, and low where good biosecurity is applied at all times.
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The government has increased the risk level of HPAI H5 in wild birds from low to medium. This comes after highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N5 was detected in a number of wild birds in Great Britain during the autumn.听
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From 1 October, a new legal requirement for all bird keepers in England and Wales to register on the GB poultry register came into force. See GB Poultry Register 鈥� why it matters for bird health
The rules around bird gatherings across GB were amended so that gatherings of all poultry and other captive birds, including ducks, geese and swans are now permitted. Read: Bird gatherings
Following a period of no outbreaks across the country, the UK government has self-declared zonal freedom from highly pathogenic Avian Influenza, in line with WOAH (World Organisation for Animal Health) rules.
The rules around bird gatherings in Wales were amended. Read: Bird gatherings
The rules around bird gatherings in Scotland were amended. Read: Bird gatherings
The rules around bird gatherings in England were amended to allow gatherings of听Galliforme poultry and Galliforme birds. Read: Bird gatherings
The AIPZ in place across Great Britain was lifted by the United Kingdom's Chief Veterinary Officer. Read: Nationwide Avian Influenza Prevention Zone in Great Britain lifted
Mandatory housing measures for all poultry in England and Wales have been removed,听following a decision听by the United Kingdom鈥檚 Chief Veterinary Officer.
View the announcement at:
The announcement from the Welsh Government can be read at:
The grace period for 'free range eggs' ends in the rest of England.听Read: Avian influenza and 'free range' status 鈥� what does the law say?
The grace period for Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of Essex ended.
Under the relevant legislation, eggs that are laid after the grace period ends that are from hens which continue to be housed, can no longer be marketed as 'free range' eggs and must be labeled as 'barn eggs' instead. Read: Avian influenza and 'free range' status 鈥� what does the law say?
The AIPZ was updated to introduce a 21 day standstill rule for all game birds that are caught up in the open season. Read: Avian influenza and game bird shoots 鈥� what's permitted?
NFU Cymru welcomed news that mandatory housing measures for all poultry and captive birds are to be introduced to all areas of Wales from Friday 2 December as a protection against Avian Influenza.
The news comes shortly after NFU Cymru wrote to Welsh Government requesting that mandatory housing measures be urgently introduced. Visit:
Mandatory housing measures for all poultry and captive birds were introduced to all areas of England from 00:01 on Monday 7 November, following a decision by the United Kingdom鈥檚 Chief Veterinary Officer. View the declaration at
A nationwide AIPZ (Avian Influenza Prevention Zone) has been declared across Great Britain. It's now a legal requirement for all bird keepers in Great Britain to follow strict biosecurity measures to protect their flocks. Read: Nationwide Avian Influenza Prevention Zone declared | 皇家华人.com
Regional housing measures came into effect on Wednesday 12 October 2022 for parts of the east of England. The housing measures came into force from 00.01 on 12 October and build on the strengthened biosecurity measures brought in as part of the AIPZ (Avian Influenza Prevention Zone) on 27 September 2022, covering Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of Essex. Read: AIPZ in east of England including new housing measures | 皇家华人.com
Defra declared the start of the 2022/2023 avian influenza outbreak. The 2021/2022 came to a close on 30 September. These are dates that authorities use for reporting means, although cases continued throughout both periods.听
A regional AIPZ was declared covering Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of Essex. The AIPZ in the east of England was active from 12noon on the 27 September. Read: Regional AIPZ declared | 皇家华人
The risk of avian influenza was reduced to low for all poultry. Defra confirmed that the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone for poultry and captive birds would be lifted at midday on 16 August.听
Mandatory housing measures were lifted. Poultry and other captive birds no longer need to be housed, unless they are in a Protection Zone, and are allowed to be kept outside.
Mandatory housing measures came into force across the UK听鈥� all captive bird keepers are required to house their birds to prevent the spread of avian influenza. This is in addition to the biosecurity measures already in place as part of the听Avian Influenza Prevention Zone听that came into force on 3 November.
An听enhanced Avian Influenza Prevention Zone听was introduced in parts of North Yorkshire. This included mandatory housing for all captive birds within the area.听Please note, this housing order is now mandatory across Great Britain.
The first general licence was published. There are currently six general licences in place for a range of activities.听 For more information on these and individual movement licensing please visit the听licensing page听on 皇家华人.听
The government announced that听gatherings of poultry, galliforme or anserisforme birds were no longer permitted in England and Wales.
A nationwide听Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) came into force across England, Scotland and Wales. This includes听stricter measures on biosecurity听to prevent the spread of AI.
The first case of highly pathogenic H5N1 was confirmed in Great Britain. To stay up to date with the latest cases as they happen, head over to our听latest news page.