Latest information on avian influenza (bird flu).
A mandatory poultry housing order will come into effect across England on Friday 13 November 2026.
The measures mean bird keepers must house all poultry and captive birds if they keep 50 or more birds (except in specific circumstances e.g. some zoo birds) or if they sell or give eggs, poultry products and live birds away.
An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) has also come into force with immediate effect, requiring enhanced biosecurity measures from all bird keepers, regardless of flock size.
Cases of avian flu in Lincolnshire
Avian flu has been confirmed in the following areas. A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone has been declared around the premises.
For more information about the current situation, please see Defra’s rolling news story.
If you own birds
Bird keepers must house all poultry and captive birds if they keep 50 or more birds (except in specific circumstances e.g. some zoo birds) or if they sell or give eggs, poultry products and live birds away.
All keepers whether they have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock must undertake enhanced biosecurity measures to mitigate the risk of further outbreaks of the disease.
Keepers are urged to be vigilant for signs of disease, report it and take action to prevent bird flu spreading.
Details of the zone and the biosecurity measures that bird keepers must comply with can be found in full on the government website.
Watch 'How to not walk avian influenza into your poultry coop'.
Find further biosecurity advice on the Animal and Plant Health Agency website.
Registrating birds
If you have not already, you should register your poultry, even if only kept as pets, so you can be contacted during an outbreak locally. This is a legal requirement.
If you keep poultry or captive birds and have not registered you must do so now using one of the following options:
Online form: www.gov.uk/government/collections/register-as-a-bird-keeper
Telephone: 03000 200 301 – (lines are open 8:30am to 5pm Monday to Friday)
Public health
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said that avian influenza is primarily a disease of birds and the risk to the general public’s health is very low.
The Food Standards Agency has said that on the basis of the current scientific evidence, avian influenza poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers. Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.
Find more advice for members of the public on the Animal and Plant Health Agency website.
Wild birds
Do not touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds that you find.
If you find dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or other dead wild birds, such as gulls or birds of prey, you should report them to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77.
Defra will then collect some of these birds and test them to understand how the disease is distributed geographically and in different types of bird.
Not all birds will be collected and those that aren’t, it is the landowner’s responsibility to safely dispose of the carcases.