HIGHLY pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in poultry at a premises near Exminster, Teignbridge, Devon (AIV/2025/61) on Sunday, August 31.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Animal and Plant Health Agency confirmed that a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been declared around the premises.

They confirmed that all poultry on the premises will be humanely culled.

On August 28, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in other captive birds at a premises near Evercreech, Frome and East Somerset, Somerset (AIV 2025/60).

A 3km captive bird (monitoring) controlled zone has been declared surrounding the premises. The affected birds on the premises have been humanely culled.

On August 27, following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance in the zone around a premises near Dulverton, Tiverton and Minehead, Somerset (AIV 2025/51), the 3km protection zone has ended and the area that formed it becomes part of the surveillance zone.

Due to the recent increase in avian influenza cases in game birds and increasing risk of avian influenza, particularly in coastal counties, the avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ) with mandatory biosecurity measures has been updated to include additional biosecurity measures for game bird rearers and shoot operators.

These include:

• a requirement to cleanse and disinfect vehicles and footwear

• a requirement to collect and report dead birds found in the vicinity of release pens

• measures to prevent access to feeders and drinkers by wild birds

These measures came into force on August 26.

Avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ): biosecurity measures

These measures will be in place until further notice. They will be kept under regular review as part of the government’s work to monitor and manage the risks of avian influenza.

Additional measures apply in disease control zones surrounding infected premises where HPAI has been confirmed in poultry or other captive birds.

These measures apply to all bird keepers whether you have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in your garden and are essential to protect your birds from avian influenza.

On February 19, 2025 avian flu was confirmed at a commercial poultry farm near Teignnmouth.

On Wednesday, April 6, 2022, avian flu was confirmed in a bird at premises at Newton St Cyres, near Crediton, resulting in the devastating culling of all birds at the premises and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone.

You can stay updated on the latest situation regarding bird flu in England through the GOV.UK website.

Guidance includes keeping pets such as cats and dogs safe from bird flu.