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Avian Flu Spreads: UK Poultry Under Mandatory Housing Order
13 Nov
Summary
- Third avian flu case confirmed in East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.
- National housing order for poultry with over 50 birds now in effect.
- Protection and surveillance zones established around affected farms.
As of November 13, 2026, a third case of avian flu has been confirmed in East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, prompting a nationwide mandatory housing order for poultry. This order, which came into effect at 00:01 GMT, requires all poultry keepers with more than 50 birds to keep them indoors. The recent confirmation near Market Rasen in Lincolnshire follows a previous case near Pocklington in East Yorkshire on November 7, and another near Brigg on November 4.
UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss emphasized the importance of robust biosecurity measures and urged immediate reporting of any signs of the disease. A 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone have been declared around each of the three affected premises. All poultry within these farms will be humanely culled to prevent further spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza. The housing order also extends to those who sell or distribute eggs, poultry products, and live birds.
