Bird flu confirmed in North Devon

The Government has announced that a case of bird flu have been reported in North Devon.

The outbreak, which is said to be near Braunton, was confirmed on 30 January 2025, with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 detected in captive birds at a premises.

According to the Government's website, a 3km controlled zone for captive birds (monitoring) has been established around the affected premises. 

The report also confirmed that the birds at the site will be humanely culled.

However, North Devon is not alone in this detection.

The Government has reported an increase in cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu) among both kept poultry and wild birds across multiple areas of Great Britain.

Last year, the Government extended the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) after detections in poultry, wild, and captive birds across regions such as the East Riding of Yorkshire, the City of Kingston Upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk.

The UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer declared an AIPZ to mitigate the risk of further outbreaks in these areas. 

As of 13 December, it is now a legal requirement for all bird keepers within the zone to implement strict biosecurity measures to protect their flocks, regardless of their size or type.

What is Bird Flu?

Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is an infectious viral disease that primarily affects birds but can sometimes spread to other animals or humans. 

The most common strain found in recent outbreaks is H5N1, which is highly contagious among birds. 

While human cases are rare, they can be severe. 

Efforts to control bird flu outbreaks typically involve culling affected birds and imposing restrictions on poultry movement to prevent the disease from spreading further.