Avian influenza (bird flu)

Avian influenza is a highly infectious notifiable disease affecting many species of birds, including commercial, wild and pet birds.

If you need to report groups of dead birds, or need advice on avian flu, please contact the Defra Helpline (08459 33 55 77) and choose the Avian Influenza option which will be open from 9am - 5pm, Monday - Friday. More information on finding dead birds is available.

Latest situation
Latest information on the situation in the UK.

The basics
Key information about avian flu, with links to further information on this site including factsheet.

Kept birds
Information relating to farmed, pet or otherwise kept birds including information on biosecurity, vaccination, worker protection advice, bird imports and exports and game birds. See also disinfectant information.

Wild birds
Information relating to wild birds, advice on licensing, guidance for anyone who finds groups of dead birds and surveillance for avian influenza in wild birds.

Other animals
Information relating to cats, dogs and pigs.

What is the Government is doing?
Defra in liaison with the SVS have set out structures and systems that would be implemented in an outbreak of disease, including a contingency plan and Risk Assessments.

Impact on the countryside
Information relating to avian influenza and its effect on the countryside.

Questions and answers (Q&A)
Commonly or frequently asked questions relating to avian flu.

Publications

Latest website updates

Information on the latest situation in the UK is available.

13 July 2006 - Risk Assessment: Avian influenza in public parks/parkland and open waters due to wild bird exposure.

11 July 2006 - Defra has invited tenders to supply 10 million doses of avian influenza vaccine. A Ministerial statement by Ben Bradshaw on vaccine supply tender has been published. A news release has also been issued. Further information on vaccination is available.
Preliminary outbreak assessment: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1) in a wild bird in Spain.

10 July 2006 - The final epidemiology report for Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H7N3) outbreak in Norfolk, England, April - May 2006 has been published.
International Trade - Customer Information Note: UK trade restrictions due to avian influenza: weekly situation report.

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