Avian Flu Update – January 2026

14 January 2026

Cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (bird flu or HPAI H5N1) in captive and wild birds have increased significantly over the past few months. Avian Influenza is a notifiable disease and any suspected cases in captive or wild birds must be reported to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). The first case of HPAI H5N1 of the 2025 to 2026 outbreak season (October 25 to end of September 26) was confirmed in:

England on the 11th of October 2025

Scotland on the 12th of November 2025

Wales on the 25th of October 2025

Northern Ireland on the 9th of October 2025

Thus far there have been 85 outbreaks in captive birds in the 2025-26 outbreak season (correct on 12/01/2026). This is currently higher than some previous outbreak seasons, and we are not far into the current outbreak season. Experts have warned that the current strain of the Bird Flu virus is super-infectious” and has as high pathogenicity as the strain of the virus which caused over 350 outbreaks across the UK in 2021 and 2023.

Outbreak season	Highly pathogenic AI cases	Low pathogenic AI cases
2025 to 2026 (time period not complete)	85	0
2024 to 2025	81	1
2023 to 2024	6	0
2022 to 2023	207	1
2021 to 2022	158	0

Table 1 - Total outbreaks in each outbreak season

The risk of captive bird exposure to HPAI H5 in Great Britain is assessed as very high (outbreak almost a certainty) where there is suboptimal or poor biosecurity and medium where stringent biosecurity is consistently applied at all times.

Understanding Outbreaks

As a result of the threat posed by the strain of Avian flu circulating and the high number of outbreaks so far this season. England, Northern Ireland and Wales have all implemented compulsory housing orders, mandating that all birds in flocks with over 50 birds must now be housed. There is currently no housing order in place in Scotland, but this may change if cases rise.

Supporting Poultry Welfare During Housing Orders

The importance of good biosecurity is reinforced by findings that in some outbreaks in larger flocks not every shed has been infected. Showing Demonstrating that- between shed biosecurity measures have worked. Although, APHA still mandate that all birds on infected sites must be culled.

Biosecurity and Preventing Welfare Impacts in Poultry and Captive Birds

Advice for Scottish Farmers

In Scotland all bird keepers must be registered on the Scottish Kept Bird Register, this is a legislative requirement and this is what is used to communicate with bird keepers in the event of a local outbreak. Further guidance on biosecurity is available at the bottom of this article.

Poultry keepers in Scotland should review and tighten up their biosecurity protocols to protect their birds and their businesses from the threat of Avian Influenza. In addition, poultry keepers in Scotland should also consider how best they can maintain the welfare of their birds in the event of a housing order being put in place in Scotland. Birds which are used to being able to go outdoors can find being housed stressful and this can lead to undesirable behaviour such as feather pecking. Providing a comfortable environment, with sufficient space, perches and enrichments can all help to keep your birds happy during housing.

James Orr, SAC Consulting