Bird flu: first premises (AIV 2025/31) and second premises (AIV 2025/34) near Blaydon, Blaydon and Consett, Durham

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in poultry on 26 March 2025 at the first premises (AIV2025/31). Following suspicion of HPAI the second premises in the area (AIV 2025/34, formerly AIV SOS 2025/02) was taken as a slaughter on suspicion case on the 27 March 2025 and confirmed as HPAI H5N1 following further official testing on 28 March 2025.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Animal and Plant Health Agency
• Published: 26 March 2025
• Last updated: 28 March 2025 — See all updates

• Disease Type: Bird flu (avian influenza)
• Disease control zone restrictions: In force
• Disease control zone type: Protection zone and Surveillance zone
• Virus strain: H5N1
• Case opened date: 26 March 2025

Case information

28 March 2026

Following official testing, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in poultry and other captive birds at a second premises near Blaydon, Blaydon and Consett, Durham (AIV 2025/34 formerly AIV SOS 2025/02).

All poultry and captive birds on the premises will be humanely culled. The 3km and 10km area surrounding premises AIV 2025/31 fully overlaps the 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone in force, so no additional zone will be put in place for AIV 2025/34.

27 March 2025

HPAI was suspected in poultry and captive birds at a second premises near Blaydon, Blaydon and Consett, Durham (AIV SOS 2025/02). All poultry and captive birds on the premises will be humanely culled.

26 March 2025

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in poultry at a premises near Blaydon, Blaydon and Consett, Durham (AIV 2025/31).

A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone has been declared around the premises. All poultry on the premises will be humanely culled.

Download the declaration of an avian influenza protection zone and surveillance zone

Further information

Check:

• the updated bird flu disease control zone map
• if you need a licence to move poultry, poultry by-products, eggs, material or mammals

Case number: AIV 2025/31 and AIV2025/34

Published 26 March 2025

Last updated 28 March 2025 + show all updates

1. 28 March 2025

   On 28 March 2025, following official testing, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 has been confirmed in poultry and other captive birds at a second premises near Blaydon, Blaydon and Consett, Durham (AIV 2025/34 formerly AIV SOS 2025/02). All poultry and captive birds on the premises will be humanely culled. The 3km and 10km area surrounding premises AIV 2025/31 fully overlaps the 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone in force, so no additional zone will be put in place for AIV 2025/34. On 27 March 2025, HPAI was suspected in poultry and captive birds at a second premises near Blaydon, Blaydon and Consett, Durham (AIV SOS 2025/02). All poultry and captive birds on the premises will be humanely culled.

2. 26 March 2025

   First published.