UK - Avian influenza in poultry season 2026-2027

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Publication - Regulation/directive/order

Avian flu (bird flu): Ness, Isle of Lewis (AIV 2026/20)​

Published 2 October 2026
Directorate Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic Farming and rural
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N5 was confirmed on 2 October 2026.

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Confirmation of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)​

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N5 was confirmed at a premises in Ness, Isle of Lewis on 2 October 2026.

A 3 km Protection Zone (PZ) and 10 km Surveillance Zone (SZ) are in place.

Check if your premises is affected by using the interactive map.

What to do if you are in a zone and keep animals​

Controls are in place. If your premises is in one of the zones, you must ensure that the disease does not spread and that your animals are protected.

If your premises – or part of your premises – is inside a zone, there are rules you must follow.

A full list of these rules is in the attached declaration. These are summarised below.

You must:

• inspect your stock for signs of infection. Immediately report any signs of disease to your vet, your local APHA Field Services office or on 03000 600 703
• keep records of your flock: including numbers of poultry, poultry falling ill or dying, the amount of feed and water being consumed and any egg production
• keep records of people visiting your premises
• not release game birds
• email outbreak.licensing@apha.gov.uk to apply for a specific licence to move any domestic mammal kept for providing milk for human consumption, such as dairy cattle, sheep and goats

General licence conditions are in place. You must comply with the conditions to:

• move any poultry, other captive birds, eggs, meat or carcases
• spread poultry litter, manure and slurry
• move any domestic mammals (excluding mammals kept for providing milk listed above)

Pet mammals are not restricted if, on the premises, they:

• only have access to the part where people live
• have no contact with poultry or other captive birds
• have no access to any cages or areas where poultry or other captive birds are kept

Read the declaration below to understand the restrictions on vehicles, people, and the strict biosecurity conditions that must be observed.

The measures in the declaration are the law. If you do not comply, you may be charged.

You should monitor this page and the interactive map to check when the disease control zone has been merged or lifted.

More information on HPAI Disease Control Licensing is on the licensing page.


Avian flu (bird flu) declaration: Ness, Isle of Lewis (AIV 2026/20)
File typePDF
File size376.2 kB

Contact​

If you have any questions about the restrictions in place, you can contact:

• 0330 041 6589
• local APHA field services office

Related information​

• Avian flu (bird flu) outbreaks
• Avian flu (bird flu): how to spot and report the disease

Avian flu (bird flu): Ness, Isle of Lewis (AIV 2026/20)

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N5 was confirmed on 2 October 2026. Premises is located at Knockaird, Isle of Lewis, Western Isles, Scotland, HS2 0XF.

www.gov.scot

 

[Commonground]

Published 2 October 2026

Confirmation of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)​

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N5 was confirmed at a premises in Ness, Isle of Lewis on 2 October 2026.

A 3 km Protection Zone (PZ) and 10 km Surveillance Zone (SZ) are in place.

Check if your premises is affected by using the interactive map.

What to do if you are in a zone and keep animals​

Continued: https://www.gov.scot/publications/avian-flu-bird-flu-ness-isle-of-lewis-aiv-2026-20/