Changes to Risk Level
The risk of avian influenza infection in wild birds remains low (rare but does occur). However, the risk of HPAI H5 exposure to poultry and captive birds across the whole GB has reduced from medium (occurs regularly) to low (rare but does occur) where biosecurity is sub-optimal and remains low (rare but does occur) where stringent biosecurity measures are applied.
- As a result of the changes to the risk levels the mandatory enhanced biosecurity requirementsthat were brought in as part of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) will be lifted from midday on Saturday 15 May 2021.
- Whilst the AIPZ is being lifted, high standards of biosecurity should be retained by all bird keepers as infection may still be present in the environment and good biosecurity should be maintained for the health of your birds. See our biosecurity guidance for further information.
- Additional biosecurity measures would still apply in disease control zones surrounding infected premises. Check if and where disease control zones are in force and where higher risk areas are located on our interactive map.
For further information on the evidence which supported these decisions see the APHA outbreak and risk assessments. Biosecurity guidance and information on the latest avian influenza situation are available at:
- England: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu
- Scotland: http://www.gov.scot/avianinfluenza
- Wales: https://gov.wales/avian-influenza-bird-flu
