#18,857
The UK's summer of bird flu continues with two more outbreaks reported, bringing their total to 80 since October 1st of last year. Unlike last summer, which went 8 months (March to October) without an outbreak, this summer has been laced with a series of unexpected poultry outbreaks (n=15).
Twelve days ago, in Heightened Avian Influenza Risk Warning Issued to Bird Keepers and Gamebird Rearers, Defra announced:
20 August 2025
Due to the recent increase in avian influenza cases in game birds and increasing risk of avian influenza, particularly in coastal counties, the avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ) with mandatory biosecurity measures has been updated to include additional biosecurity measures for game bird reamers and shoot operators.
These include:
- a requirement to cleanse and disinfect vehicles and footwear
- a requirement to collect and report dead birds found in the vicinity of release pens
- measures to prevent access to feeders and drinkers by wild birds
These measures come into force from 26 August.
Since those new rules went into effect, 2 more farms have been identified as infected.
Latest situation31 August 2025
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in poultry at a premises near Exminster, Teignbridge, Devon (AIV/2025/61).
A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone has been declared around the premises. All poultry on the premises will be humanely culled.
28 August 2025
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in other captive birds at a premises near Evercreech, Frome and East Somerset, Somerset (AIV 2025/60).
A 3km captive bird (monitoring) controlled zone has been declared surrounding the premises. The affected birds on the premises have been humanely culled.
As we discussed in some depth two weeks ago (see H5Nx: Reassort & Repeat), as these viruses evolve, their behavior - and their threat - can also change.
While it is too soon to know if this summer's uptick is merely a fluke - or the start of a trend - it is a reminder influenza viruses are unpredictable.
