31 March 2026
All bird keepers, whether commercial or backyard are required to follow strict biosecurity measures to help prevent the spread of avian influenza.
Back in November 2025, Wales introduced mandatory bird housing measures under the avian influenza prevention zone due to increased risk levels driven by the rising number of cases detected in both wild and kept birds across Great Britain.
All keepers of 50 birds or more must house them, with the requirement also applying to smaller flocks where eggs or poultry products are sold or given away.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), often referred to as bird flu, is a highly contagious viral disease that can affect the respiratory, digestive, or nervous systems of many bird species. While the current strain poses minimal risk to human health, the virus spreads easily among birds, particularly during the winter when migratory species are active.
Avian influenza poses a major threat not only to animal health and welfare and business incomes, but also to the resilience of food systems and the protection of public health.
Dafydd Jarrett, National Food and Farming Adviser at NFU Cymru said: "H5N1 is probably the most virulent and persistent strain of avian influenza we have seen in the UK. Top-level biosecurity is needed to keep it at bay. I am convinced that commercial poultry keepers have done just this, contributing thankfully to the low number of cases here in Wales. However, with the virus present in the wild bird population and just a tablespoon of contaminated faeces able to infect 1 million birds we cannot drop our guard, and the industry needs to seek best possible advice from reliable sources like this and apply it on their individual farms day in day out”.
Birds affected by the disease may show a range of symptoms, including a swollen head, blue discoloration of the neck and throat, loss of appetite, breathing difficulties such as gasping, coughing, sneezing or gurgling, diarrhoea, reduced egg production, and a noticeable increase in deaths within the flock.
Certain strains can spread rapidly among birds and are associated with high mortality rates. All bird keepers are urged to maintain the highest levels of biosecurity and remain alert for any signs of disease.
Ian Jones, MRCVS, Director of Hafren Veterinary Group said: “If you house your birds, you reduce the risk of getting avian influenza by a factor of two. Biosecurity and enhancing the way that you look after your farm and how you manage it reduces the risk by forty-four, twenty times more. The best farms with the best biosecurity are much less likely to get the disease.”
Biosecurity is key
Bird keepers of all kinds are strongly encouraged to maintain strict biosecurity measures; whether caring for a few pet birds or managing a large commercial flock. To protect their birds and reduce the risk of disease, all poultry keepers should take these steps to uphold the highest standards of biosecurity:
- Limit movement in and out of bird enclosures
- Clean and disinfect footwear with approved products and keep housing areas clean
- Feed and water birds only in enclosed spaces
- Prevent wild birds from accessing bird areas for example use of netting over ponds and by removing access to food sources
- Keep their birds away from places used by geese, ducks and gulls
- Clean and disinfect vehicles, equipment and contaminated hard surfaces
- Monitor birds for signs of disease and report any sick birds or unexplained deaths to a vet or Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA)
All bird keepers should complete a mandatory biosecurity self-assessment checklist annually and retain it as a record. This is a legal requirement when an avian influenza prevention zone is in place. These checklists can be found here: Biosecurity and preventing disease in poultry and kept birds | GOV.WALES
If you suspect avian influenza, contact your local Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) office immediately on 0300 303 8268. APHA vets will investigate suspected cases. More information is available here: Avian influenza (bird flu) | GOV.WALES