Avian influenza (bird flu)

View the current avian influenza restrictions.

Contact your local Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) office immediately on 0300 303 8268 if you suspect avian influenza.

APHA vets will investigate suspected cases.

The following clinical signs may be present:

• swollen head
• blue discolouration of the neck and throat
• loss of appetite
• respiratory distress such as: gaping beak, coughing/sneezing, gurgling
• diarrhoea
• fewer eggs laid
• increased mortality

Although Avian influenza is a disease of birds, in rare cases humans can become infected. Some strains of Avian influenza can spread easily and quickly between birds and have a high death rate.

All bird keepers must:

• continue to practice the highest levels of biosecurity
• be vigilant for any signs of disease

You should register your poultry (on gov.uk), even if only kept as pets, so APHA can contact you during an outbreak. This is a legal requirement if you have 50 or more birds.

All bird keepers are urged to maintain high levels of biosecurity; whether you have a few pet birds, or if you have a large commercial flock.

To ensure high levels of biosecurity, all poultry keepers should:

• minimise movement of people in and out of bird enclosures
• clean and disinfect footwear using a government approved disinfectant, and keep areas where birds live clean and tidy
• ensure the areas where birds are kept are not attractive to wild birds, for example, by netting ponds and by removing access to food sources
• keep your birds separate to and without access to areas where especially geese, ducks and gulls are present
• feed and water your birds in enclosed areas to discourage wild birds
• clean and disinfect vehicles and equipment that have come into contact with poultry, and reduce any existing contamination by cleansing and disinfecting concrete areas
• keep a close watch on birds for any signs of disease and report any sick birds or unexplained deaths to your vet or APHA

The risk of HPAI virus (bird flu) increases during the winter. Migratory waterfowl and gulls are the most likely cause of HPAI incursion. (Migratory wildfowl include ducks, geese and swans.) This is based on experience over the last two winters. Along with with scientific and veterinary opinion.

The legislation covering avian influenza in Wales on the legislation.gov.uk website includes:

• The Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin (Wales) (No. 2) Order 2006
• The Avian Influenza (Wales) (Amendment and Revocation) Order 2022
• The Avian Influenza (H5N1 in Wild Birds) (Wales) Order 2006
• The Avian Influenza (H5N1 IN Wild Birds) (Wales) (Amendment) Order 2021
• The Avian Influenza (Preventative Measures) (Wales) Regulations 2006
• The Avian Influenza (Vaccination) (Wales) (No. 2) Regulations 2006
• The Diseases of Animals (Approved Disinfectants) (Wales) Order 2007
• The Transport of Animals (Cleansing and Disinfection) (Wales) (No 3) Order 2003

For further details of legislation covering avian influenza in:

• England – see the English Government website
• Scotland - see the Scottish Government website
• Northern Ireland - see the DAERA-NI website.