Avian flu

If you keep poultry and received a letter about the recent Avian Flu outbreak in Kent, please complete a poultry premises report. We'll share your report with the Animal and Plant Health Agency who may be in touch if they need more information.

Avian influenza is a notifiable animal disease.

High-level biosecurity is a key defence against Avian Influenza, commonly known as bird flu, and Kent bird keepers should continue to follow current regulations. This includes reporting signs of the disease in captive birds or wild birds.

If you suspect bird flu in poultry or other captive birds, you must report it immediately to Defra on 03000 200 301.

You should report dead wild birds to Defra on 03459 33 55 77 or online via the dead bird reporting tool, if you find:

  • 1 or more dead bird of prey, gull, swan, goose or duck in the same place
  • 5 or more dead wild birds of any other species in the same place.

If you have concerns about bird keepers not following the current regulations you can contact Kent Trading Standards via Citizens Advice Customer Services on 0808 223 1133.

For further information on the latest situation and current requirements see Defra's advice to the public.

Safety measures

Good biosecurity is an essential defence against diseases such as avian influenza and is key to limiting its spread.

To help all bird keepers comply with biosecurity rules, Defra maintains updated biosecurity guidance and self-assessment checklists.

If you have any concerns about the health of your birds, seek advice from your vet straight away.

You should also register your poultry, even if only kept as pets, so you can be contacted during an outbreak. This is a legal requirement if you have 50 or more birds. Poultry includes chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, pigeon (bred for meat), partridge, quail, guinea fowl and pheasants.

You can sign up to Defra’s alerts service to keep up to date with the latest news.

More information

Read our animal and plant health emergency plan (PDF, 2.8 MB) for further details how we prepare for emergency situations.