Thank you for contacting me about avian influenza (bird flu).
The UK has faced its largest ever outbreak of avian influenza, with over 180 cases confirmed since October 2022 in the UK. Due to an escalation in cases on commercial farms and in backyard birds across the country, mandatory housing measures for all poultry and captive birds were put in place in England.
However, I am aware that the risk of avian influenza for all poultry has reduced to low, (which means that the event is rare but does occur) and the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone for poultry and captive birds in England, Wales and Scotland was lifted from midday on 4 July 2023. While the risk level in kept birds has reduced, the risk in wild birds remains high and all bird keepers should continue to take steps to prevent bird flu and stop it spreading at all times and be vigilant for signs of disease.
Further, all poultry gatherings, including at fairs, shows and markets, remain banned, due to a large number of flocks mixing together and the risk posed by any infections spreading across the country. Additional mandatory restrictions apply in disease control zones in force surrounding infected premises where avian influenza has been confirmed in poultry or other captive birds.
All keepers are strongly encouraged to register their flocks with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). For poultry this is a legal requirement if keepers have 50 birds or more (poultry includes chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, pigeon (bred for meat), partridge, quail, guinea fowl and pheasants). Registering with Defra means that officials will be able to contact you with information or action required should an outbreak happen nearby.
The UK Health Security Agency advises that the available evidence suggests viruses currently circulating in birds in the UK do not spread easily to people and food standards bodies advise that avian influenzas pose a very low food safety risk for UK consumers. There is no impact on the consumption of properly cooked poultry products, including eggs.
Finally, I am aware that the Government guidance on bird flu is subject to change and I would therefore encourage you to check the Government guidance
regularly: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bird-flu-avian-influenza-latest-situ…;
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.