29 December 2025

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in a flock of non-commercial captive birds near Bridgwater, Somerset (AIV 2025/138).

A 3km captive bird (monitoring) controlled zone has been declared around the premises. All affected birds on the premises will be humanely culled.

Following a review of the risk level of poultry exposure to HPAI H5, the risk to poultry with suboptimal biosecurity has been reduced from very high to high (event occurs very regularly) with medium uncertainty.