H5N1 CONFIRMED AT TWO MORE PREMISES NEAR STANHOPE,CO.DURHAM. 3KM CONTROLLED ZONES ARE IN PLACE.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been confirmed at a second and third premises near Stanhope, Bishop Auckland, County Durham.

Following a risk assessment, 3km Captive Bird (Monitoring) Controlled Zones have been put in place around the premises. Further information is available on GOV.UK.

An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) with mandatory biosecurity measures is also in force across Great Britain with additional mandatory housing measures in force in the following areas:

Cheshire
City of Kingston Upon Hull
Herefordshire
The East Riding of Yorkshire
Lancashire
Lincolnshire
Merseyside
Norfolk
North Yorkshire
An area in Shropshire
Suffolk
Worcestershire
York.

All bird keepers in these areas must keep their birds housed to protect them from bird flu. This applies to pet birds, commercial flocks and just a few birds in a backyard flock.

In addition, in response to the significant increase of findings of avian influenza in kept and wild birds, mandatory housing measures to protect poultry & captive birds will be extended to include Cumbria, County Durham, Northumberland and Tyneside from 00:01 on Monday 7 April 2025. All bird keepers in these areas must, from this date, house their birds in addition to following stringent biosecurity measures. See the press release on GOV.UK for more information

All bird keepers should remain vigilant and follow the housing and stringent biosecurity measures in addition to following any Protection/Surveillance Zone restrictions in their area to prevent future outbreaks.

Please check the disease control zones on our avian influenza interactive map to see what restrictions are in place and the biosecurity guidance on GOV.UK.

Definitive requirements are set out in the published declarations for each disease control zone currently in force. More information is available on GOV.UK.