The risk of poultry exposure to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5, also known as bird flu, in Great Britain has been reduced from high to medium.

It remains assessed as low (event is rare but does occur) (with high uncertainty) where good biosecurity is applied. The risk of HPAI H5 in wild birds in Great Britain remains assessed as high (the event occurs very often).

Further information on the evidence which supports these risk levels can be found in the Government’s risk and outbreak assessments.

Despite the risk assessment being de-escalated from high to medium, Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) remains in an avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ). By law you must follow strict biosecurity rules to prevent bird flu and stop it spreading.

In England and Wales the AIPZ also means you must house your birds to protect them from bird flu.

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