Disease control and outbreaks
Avian Influenza (bird flu)
- Check what zone you’re in on the bird flu disease zone map - by law, you must follow the rules for the zone that you’re in.
- Details of bird flu zone rules
- Find out how and why the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) monitors avian influenza virus infection in wild birds and wild mammals
Reporting dead wild birds
- The APHA carries out year-round surveillance of dead wild birds submitted via public reports and warden patrols as part of its wild bird surveillance programme.
- In Great Britain members of the public are encouraged to report findings of dead wild birds using the online reporting system or by calling the Defra helpline (03459 33 55 77).
- APHA and their contractors then collect some of these birds and test them to understand what the risk posed to poultry and other captive birds. They do this though understanding how the disease is distributed geographically and in different types of wild bird. Not all birds will be collected.
- Find out more on disposing of dead wild birds not required for surveillance.
GB Avian Influenza wildlife interactive map & data dashboard
- Explore results from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) avian influenza in wildlife surveillance programme in Great Britain - interactive map of reported wild bird mortality and findings of avian influenza virus (bird flu) in wild birds and wild mammals.
- Interactive data dashboard of findings of avian influenza virus in wild birds. If you have reported a dead wild bird online or via the helpline (03459 33 55 77), check the status of your wild bird report by entering the location of your report or your Defra reference number (prefixed by WSF- or REP-) in the maps search box.
Reporting suspicion of influenza of avian origin in wild mammals
- Avian influenza (bird flu) viruses can also infect mammals
- Find out how the APHA monitor spill over of avian influenza virus from wild birds to wild mammals on GOV.UK.
- If members of the public find a dead wild carnivore (e.g. fox, otter, pine marten, stoat, weasel, pole cat, mink) or marine mammal (e.g. seal, dolphin, porpoise, whale) where the cause of death is unknown, or the animal has shown signs of respiratory or neurological disease prior to death they should report it immediately to APHA by calling: 03000 200 301 (if you’re in England).
Animal diseases
Non-seasonal or zoonotic influenza viruses
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has detected a single confirmed human case of influenza A(H1N2)v. Influenza A(H1N2)v is similar to flu viruses currently circulating in pigs in the UK. More information in available via the GOV.UK website.
There is also advice for people with respiratory symptoms.
Business Companion – Trading Standards business advice
Business Companion provides free and impartial legal guidance for businesses and individuals that need to know about trading standards and consumer protection legislation. Key topics and business activities include fair trading law, product safety, underage sales, food safety, animal health and welfare and weights and measures Business Companion – Trading Standards law explained