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Bird Flu Updates

Changes to the Bird Gatherings General Licences in England

From 12pm on 26 April 2024 gatherings of all columbiforme birds (pigeons) are permitted in England provided you:

Mixed gatherings of poultry and other captive birds are permitted in England, provided that the licensee notifies APHA at least 7 days before the event that a mixed gathering will be taking place. Where a mixed gathering of poultry and other captive birds takes place, the requirements of the poultry gathering general licence must be met for all birds.

NOTE: Any gatherings of racing pigeons for the purpose of moving to the EU or Northern Ireland, for immediate release for racing back to Great Britain, still need to comply with the rules set out in the relevant export health certificate (certificate: 8465), including the requirement for a veterinary inspection at marking stations. Further information can be found in the guidance on holding a bird gathering under a general licence.

These changes have been made following a reduction in the risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in wild birds to LOW (event is rare but does occur) and the risk of introduction and spread of HPAI H5Nx into bird fairs, shows, markets, sales and other gatherings in Great Britain to LOW (event is rare but does occur) from MEDIUM (event occurs regularly) for Anseriformes (and remaining assessed as LOW for Psittaciformes, Columbiformes, birds of prey, passerines, and Galliformes).

Details of changes to the bird gatherings general licences in Wales and Scotland can be found at:

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09/04/24: Change to HPAI H5 Wild Bird Risk Level

The risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5 in wild birds in Great Britain has reduced from medium (event occurs regularly) to low (event is rare but does occur).

The risk of poultry exposure to HPAI H5 in Great Britain remains assessed as:

  • low (event is rare but does occur) (with medium uncertainty) where there are substantial biosecurity breaches and poor biosecurity
  • low (event is rare but does occur) (with low uncertainty) where good biosecurity is applied

While the UK has now declared itself free of HPAI in poultry in line with World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) rules, both HPAI H5N1 and H5N5 continue to be found in wild birds in Great Britain and Europe. Outbreaks of HPAI H5N1 also continue to occur in poultry and other captive birds in several countries in Europe.

The virus is still circulating in wild birds in Great Britain and all bird keepers should remain vigilant for signs of disease to protect the health and welfare of their birds.

The risk is continually reviewed, and it is too early to predict the outlook for future seasons and risk levels may increase again in autumn associated with the migratory pattern of waterfowl and environmental conditions becoming more favourable for virus survival.

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04/04/24: UK Self-Declared Zonal Freedom from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

  • The UK has self-declared zonal freedom from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) for Great Britain with effect from 29 March 2024. This is in line with World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) rules.
  • The declaration is being reviewed and will be published by WOAH shortly. This follows the UK declaring on behalf of Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland free from HPAI on 31 March 2023.
  • The UK does not currently have outbreaks of HPAI in poultry or other captive birds. The current risk to poultry from HPAI H5 in Great Britain is low. However, HPAI H5N1 continues to be found in wild birds in Great Britain and across Europe with outbreaks occurring in poultry and other captive birds in several countries in Europe.
  • Keepers should remain vigilant and practice stringent biosecurity to protect the health and welfare of their birds. Find out how to protect your birds in our biosecurity guidance.

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