Bird flu confirmed in England as keepers told to tighten up now

Bird flu has been confirmed in commercial poultry in England, and keepers across these islands – game farms and backyard flocks included – are being urged to strengthen their biosecurity now, before the higher-risk winter period. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland said on Tuesday, 20 October 2026 that highly pathogenic H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry in England on 19 October, following confirmation of H5N5 in Scotland at the beginning of the month, with the virus continuing to circulate in wild birds across Europe.

The seasonal arrival of migratory wildfowl raises the risk each autumn, and this warning reaches the shooting community directly: game farms, laying flocks and any shoot still holding birds are kept-bird premises in law, and wildfowlers are among the likeliest to encounter sick or dead wild birds on the foreshore.

What does the chief vet advise?

Northern Ireland’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Brian Dooher, said: “The recent cases in Great Britain are an important reminder that avian influenza remains a threat. I am urging every bird keeper – whether they keep a few birds or thousands – to review their biosecurity now, minimise contact between their birds and wild birds, and monitor their flock closely.”

“Do not wait for the risk to increase before taking action,” he added. “Strict hygiene and robust biosecurity should be in place at all times. If you suspect avian influenza, report it to DAERA immediately.”

What should game farms and shoots do now?

The practical steps the department lists translate directly to a game farm or rearing field: keep housing areas clean and control rats and mice; disinfect footwear before and after visits; put feed and water where wild birds cannot reach them and clear spillages; fence outdoor areas and limit access to ponds used by wild waterfowl; and avoid keeping ducks and geese with other species where possible. Registration of kept birds is a legal requirement in Northern Ireland for all but household pet birds, and Great Britain operates its own registration rules for poultry and other captive birds. Avian influenza is a notifiable disease everywhere in the UK, and failure to report suspicion is an offence.

What happens next?

Veterinary agencies across the UK will keep assessing the risk as migration continues, and housing orders or prevention zones follow if the picture worsens, as in previous winters. Dead wild birds should be reported through the official reporting tools rather than handled, and keepers can check the current situation and biosecurity guidance on the government pages below. This story updates our October warning as the first GB poultry cases of the autumn are confirmed.