The British government has ordered all poultry and captive birds across England to be kept indoors starting Thursday to combat a surge in avian influenza cases. The mandatory housing measures, announced by the UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer, represent a significant escalation in the nation’s response to the rapidly spreading virus, extending restrictions that were previously limited to specific regions. Officials are acting to protect the country’s poultry flocks from a wave of infections detected in both wild and domestic bird populations.
This nationwide directive, effective from 6 November 2025, requires every bird keeper in England to implement stringent biosecurity protocols. The core of the new regulation is a housing order that legally obligates keepers with more than 50 birds, as well as smaller keepers who sell or gift eggs, to move their flocks indoors and isolate them from wild birds. The move signals growing concern among veterinary authorities about the rising number of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) findings and the potential for devastating economic and agricultural consequences if the spread is not contained. These measures build upon an existing Great Britain-wide Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) and follow a series of regional housing orders that proved insufficient to halt the virus’s advance.
Nationwide Housing Order Imposed
In response to what officials describe as an escalating threat, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has made housing birds a legal requirement across all of England. The order, which begins just after midnight on Thursday, is a critical step to prevent contact between domestic flocks and migratory wild birds, which are natural reservoirs for the influenza virus. This decisive action follows a worrying increase in HPAI confirmations in various locations, with recent cases reported from Devon to North Yorkshire and several counties in between.
According to UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss, the difficult decision was made necessary by the continued rise in cases. “Given the continued increase in the number of avian influenza cases in kept birds and wild birds across England, we are now taking the difficult step to extend the housing measures to the whole of England,” she stated. This move expands on regional measures put in place on 30 October for parts of northern, central, and eastern England. Officials have stressed that this preventative strategy has proven effective in past outbreaks, with Middlemiss noting, “We know from previous years that housing birds will bring the rates of infection down from the high we are currently experiencing.”
Strict Biosecurity for All Keepers
While the mandatory housing primarily targets larger and commercial flocks, an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) remains in force across Great Britain, imposing strict biosecurity rules on all bird keepers, from large commercial farms to individuals with a few backyard chickens. These measures are designed to create a barrier between the virus and kept birds by minimizing contamination risks. The government has mandated that all keepers, regardless of flock size, must adhere to these enhanced protocols to protect their birds and the wider poultry industry.
Key AIPZ Requirements
- Contamination Control: Keepers must thoroughly and continuously cleanse and disinfect housing and concrete walkways. Disinfectant at the correct concentration must be kept at all entry and exit points for footwear.
- Access and Movement: The movement of people, vehicles, and equipment into and out of areas where birds are kept must be reduced to a minimum to avoid introducing contaminants.
- Feed and Water Security: All feed, water, and bedding must be stored indoors, inaccessible to wild birds or other animals that could carry the virus.
- Pest Management: Effective vermin control is required across any premises where poultry or captive birds are kept to prevent disease transmission from rodents.
- Record Keeping: All keepers must maintain mandatory records, and any changes in egg production must be reported, as this can be an early indicator of infection.
Scientific and Epidemiological Context
The current outbreak is part of a wider European trend of HPAI circulation. According to the Europe-wide ESA animal health monitor, 85 avian flu outbreaks were recorded on poultry farms across Europe between the beginning of August and late October. Of those, 28 occurred in the final week of that period, indicating an accelerating crisis. Six of the total outbreaks were confirmed in Great Britain. The virus is highly contagious and can be spread through direct contact with infected birds or indirectly through contaminated material, such as feces, saliva, feed, or water.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza is of particular concern because it can cause severe disease and high mortality rates in poultry. Earlier in the year, the UK government had already implemented serious control measures, ordering mandatory culls of birds within a 3-kilometer radius of any confirmed case in England. While a tool in some countries, vaccination against avian influenza is not currently permitted for general use in the UK, with exceptions made only for zoo animals. This leaves biosecurity and housing as the primary defenses against the virus.
Economic and Public Health Implications
Officials have acknowledged the significant burden these restrictions place on the poultry industry. In her statement, Dr. Middlemiss expressed appreciation for the sector’s cooperation during a challenging period. For poultry farmers, housing orders can increase costs related to labor, bedding, and ventilation, while potentially impacting the welfare of birds accustomed to free-range access. Industry bodies like the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) have voiced support for the government’s decisive action, framing it as a vital step to protect farmers from the devastating financial impact of an uncontrolled outbreak.
Authorities have been keen to reassure the public about food safety and human health. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) maintains that the risk to human health from the virus remains low. Additionally, Defra has emphasized that properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe for consumption. The UKHSA continues to monitor the situation for any evidence of a changing risk profile. Bird keepers are urged to remain vigilant for signs of disease, such as lethargy, respiratory distress, or a drop in egg production, and to report any suspected cases immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency to enable rapid intervention.
