The UK government announced on the 4th that starting from the 6th, mandatory nationwide poultry housing measures will be implemented to curb the spread of avian influenza.
According to AFP, avian flu is currently spreading rapidly across Europe, with the number of affected countries reaching the highest level in a decade. This has raised concerns of a repeat of past crises involving the mass culling of tens of millions of poultry and soaring food prices.
Reports state that on Monday, the UK confirmed outbreaks at two commercial poultry farms, located in North Yorkshire and Devon, with another outbreak reported among housed birds in East Sussex.
Since October 1, in the 2025/26 season, the UK has reported a total of 23 avian flu outbreaks, 19 of which occurred in England.
According to the new regulations, poultry keepers with fewer than 50 birds can be exempted from these measures, provided that eggs and poultry products produced are solely for personal use.
The government pointed out that avian flu mainly spreads through wild birds migrating south in the autumn.
The World Health Organization emphasized that the risk of humans contracting avian flu remains low, and most cases are associated with close contact with infected animals. However, as the virus is increasingly spreading to mammal populations, continued monitoring is necessary.