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DEFRA

From 18 January 2018, an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone applies to everyone who keeps poultry or captive birds in England. If you keep poultry or birds, you must follow our detailed requirements on strict biosecurity, whether you have commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock.

We have taken these measures because bird flu has now been found in wild birds in this country. Bird flu is also present in Europe, and wild bird migration brings birds to the UK from areas where we know highly pathogenic bird flu is present. We keep our disease control measures under review based on the latest scientific evidence and veterinary advice.

Anyone who finds dead wild birds should report them to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77.

Find our latest news in avian influenza (bird flu) in winter 2017 to 2018

We currently regard the risk of bird flu occurring in poultry in the UK as low (provided there’s a good standard of biosecurity). We publish a summary of animal disease risks (including issues around bird flu) in our veterinary outbreak assessments.