Guidance

Avian influenza and influenza of avian origin: diagnostic testing, controls and reporting obligations

Updated 10 May 2024

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

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This technical guidance is for private laboratories, organisations and individuals in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) interested in testing samples from animals for influenza A virus. It explains your obligations and the requirements you must adhere to regarding laboratory biosafety, containment and reporting to the competent authority.

This guidance covers:

  • who can have or work with material suspected of containing or known to contain influenza A virus
  • where samples from animals can undergo diagnostic testing for influenza A virus or antibodies to influenza A virus
  • notification and reporting requirements
  • the role of the competent authority and designated laboratories
  • international reporting obligations for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
  • how to report non-compliance and how this is enforced or regulated

This guidance does not include diagnostic testing of human samples for influenza A virus. Read the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) laboratory reporting to UKHSA guide for diagnostic laboratories and UKHSA avian influenza: guidance, data and analysis for further information.

Influenza A viruses

Influenza A viruses (family Orthomyxoviridae; genus Alphainfluenzavirus) are single-stranded, segmented, negative-sense RNA ((-)ssRNA) viruses. Those isolated from birds are termed avian influenza viruses. They are the causative agent of avian influenza (‘bird flu’) in birds or influenza of avian origin in mammals.

Influenza A viruses are categorised into subtypes according to the properties of their surface proteins haemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). There are 16 different HA proteins (H1 to H16) and 9 different NA proteins (N1 to N9) that are relevant to infection in birds. Due to the segmented nature of the viral RNA of influenza viruses and the potential for genetic reassortment in mixed infections, any combination of these is possible.

Alongside this antigenic diversity, these viruses differ in their clinical outcome in different species. Importantly, the H5 and H7 are considered the most important subtypes from an animal health perspective. These viruses can be defined as either low pathogenic avian influenza virus (LPAIV) or highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV).

LPAIV generally has minimal impact upon the infected birds. The outcome of HPAIV infection can vary in different wild bird species. HPAIV infections are generally characterised by very high mortality in Galliformes and varying clinical outcomes in birds from other taxa.

Influenza A subtypes can also be further broken down into different genetic ‘clades’ and ‘sub-clades’. Within these are individual strains which are associated by their genetic sequence (‘genotypes’).

Genetic strain nomenclature for avian influenza viruses is based on:

  • viral type (for example influenza A)
  • host of origin (if other than human)
  • geographic origin
  • strain reference number
  • year of isolation
  • HA and NA type

An example of a genetic strain could be: A/Canada_goose/England/142157/2023_2023-12-28 H5N1.

Biosafety hazard group requirements

Biosafety requirements are applicable to all users and facilities in Great Britain regardless of the geographic origin of the pathogen or sample being handled. Facilities include but are not limited to laboratories, veterinary practices, research and academic institutes.

Specified Animal Pathogens Order (SAPO) requirements

Specified animal pathogens are viruses and other infectious agents. They must be controlled and contained to prevent their release or escape into the environment from a laboratory or other facility. If specified animal pathogens are released from a facility, they can cause serious animal or human disease.

A full list of these pathogens can be found in schedule 1 of the relevant Specified Animal Pathogen Order:

These orders are collectively referred to as the Specified Animal Pathogens Order (SAPO).

Pathogens listed within the scope of SAPO are:

  • intact pathogens
  • pathogens which have been attenuated or genetically modified by any means
  • any replication competent nucleic acid derived from a SAPO pathogen

SAPO defines animals as “any mammal or four-footed beast which is not a mammal”. SAPO extends the definition of poultry to include all bird species. SAPO also applies to “carriers” which are defined as “any living creature, except man, which may carry or transmit a specified animal pathogen or the tissue, cell culture, body fluid, excreta, carcase or part of a carcase of such creature”.

Facilities must have an appropriate SAPO licence to hold or use specified pathogens. The licence contains conditions and defined control measures that you must meet. The higher the risk of spread from a facility, the more stringent the control measures that you need to apply.

If you do not have an appropriate SAPO licence, you cannot have or work with:

  • specified pathogens
  • a ‘carrier’ if you have reasonable grounds to suspect that a specified pathogen is present

Defra, the Welsh Government and the Scottish Government retain the policy lead for SAPO in England, Wales and Scotland respectively. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is responsible for the regulation of activities involving specified animal pathogens through the administration, licensing, inspection and enforcement of SAPO in England, Wales, and Scotland.

SAPO influenza type A viruses

Influenza type A viruses within the scope of SAPO include avian influenza viruses which:

  • are uncharacterised
  • have an intravenous pathogenicity index in 6-week-old chickens of greater than 1.2
  • are an H5 or H7 subtype for which nucleotide sequencing has demonstrated multiple basic amino acids at the cleavage site of haemagglutinin

These pathogens are categorised as SAPO Hazard Group 4. They are disease-producing organisms which are either exotic or produce notifiable disease. They have a high risk of spread from the laboratory.

They must only be handled in high containment (SAPO Containment Level (CL) 4), including for diagnostic work.

Read further information in HSE’s guidance for licence holders on the containment and control of specified animal pathogens.

Testing and handling SAPO influenza type A viruses

If you know or suspect that SAPO influenza type A viruses are present in samples from an animal or the environment, you can only handle or test them in a facility with an appropriate SAPO CL4 licence.

Serological testing

For serological testing for antibodies to influenza A virus, you may not need a SAPO licence if you do not suspect infection with SAPO influenza type A viruses (for example testing for the purpose of the Poultry Compartments Scheme). This is dependent on the techniques being used, sample type and handling processes. However you must also meet the requirements of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (as amended) (COSHH) to ensure any risks to human health are adequately controlled.

Post-mortem examinations

If you know or suspect infection with a SAPO influenza type A virus before a post-mortem examination, you can only conduct the post-mortem at a facility with an appropriate SAPO CL4 licence.

If you do not suspect infection but you later suspect it or it becomes apparent during the course of a post-mortem, you must have plans in place to protect human health and the environment. You must have arrangements for how to deal with the carcase, specimens and any samples taken in a safe manner.

Transport of samples

For more information on the classification and transport of material known or suspected to contain avian influenza virus, read Department for Transport guidance on:

Notify SAPO influenza type A viruses

If you have a specified animal pathogen (or a carrier of such a pathogen) and the facility where you are handling or holding them does not have an appropriate SAPO licence, you must immediately notify the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Secretary of State, Welsh Ministers or Scottish Ministers in England, Wales and Scotland respectively.

This notification is made through the HSE, which is the licensing authority in Great Britain.

You must report it immediately by contacting HSE’s Microbiological and Biotechnology Unit. Email bioagents@hse.gov.uk or telephone 0300 003 1647.

You must also report suspicion of infection or detections of avian influenza in poultry, other captive birds, or influenza of avian origin in mammals to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) by calling:

  • 03000 200 301 if you’re in England
  • 03003 038 268 if you’re in Wales
  • your local Field Services Office if you’re in Scotland

Avian influenza is a notifiable disease in poultry and other captive birds. If you do not report it, you are breaking the law.

Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP) and COSHH

Influenza A viruses are also harmful to humans. Influenza type A viruses are classified as human Hazard Group 2 agents by the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP) in relation to the approved classification of biological agents and COSHH. Read a full list of these pathogens in the ACDP approved list of biological agents.

Under the requirements of COSHH, laboratories and other facilities working with human pathogens must apply controls that are consistent with the hazard categorisation of the agent concerned.

COSHH CL2 is usually appropriate for diagnostic laboratories that are not intentionally working with influenza viruses of human pandemic potential or highly pathogenic to birds.

However, there are circumstances and activities when a higher containment level (such as COSHH CL3) is required to protect human and animal health. Additional controls will apply in these circumstances. For example, this applies to the current HPAI H5N1 (clade 2.3.4.4b) viruses.

As a diagnostic laboratory, you need a SAPO licence if you want to hold any stock of live avian influenza virus that is also a specified animal pathogen (for diagnostic or other purposes).

If a pathogen falls under both SAPO and ACDP’s COSHH classification regimes, you must consult both classifications. You must apply the requirements for the more stringent classification.

Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 schedule 5

HPAIVs are also a listed pathogen under schedule 5 of the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 (as amended). They are subject to additional controls as set out in Part 7 of the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 (Extension to Animal Pathogens) Order 2007.

Managers and occupiers of laboratories and other premises must notify the appropriate authorities if they intend to hold, keep or use stocks of pathogens in scope of schedule 5. For more information read the Home Office and National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) guidance on notifying your intention to hold pathogens and toxins.

Role of competent authority and designated laboratories

The United Kingdom Multi-Annual National Control Plan (UK MANCP) sets out the structure, roles and responsibilities of the various competent authorities which are involved in monitoring compliance and enforcement of animal health. It also includes feed and food law, animal welfare and plant health.

The UK MANCP sets out the central competent authority for animal health as:

  • Defra in England
  • Welsh Government in Wales
  • the Scottish Government’s Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate (ARE) in Scotland

APHA is the lead government agency responsible for animal health controls, endemic and exotic disease surveillance. It is also the lead agency for notifiable disease outbreak response, veterinary field services and laboratory services supporting official controls in England, Wales and Scotland.

National Reference Laboratories and Official Laboratories

The Official Control Regulation (OCR) (EU Reg 2017/625; amended and retained in UK legislation under SI 2020/1481) sets out a comprehensive and consistent risk-based regime of official controls across the entire agri-food chain. It defines 2 different categories of laboratories at which official activities and other official activities can be undertaken – National Reference Laboratories (NRL) and Official Laboratories (OL).

NRLs are the most senior laboratory for a given pathogen. They provide expertise and advice to UK administrations, diagnostics for notifiable diseases, and training and standardisation of the relevant OLs.

OLs undertake other official activities as defined by the OCR. This includes sample analysis as necessary for trade, surveillance, or other testing requirements, under the guidance of an NRL.

Official controls and activities

Within the scope of this guidance, article 2 of the OCR defines ‘official controls’ as activities undertaken to verify compliance with the rules for animal health.

Official controls are performed by competent authorities, delegated bodies or the natural persons to which certain official control tasks have been delegated in accordance with the OCR.

‘Other official activities’ are defined as activities other than official controls. They are performed by competent authorities, or by the delegated bodies or the natural persons to which certain other official activities have been delegated in accordance with OCR.

Other official activities include:

  • activities aimed at verifying the presence of animal diseases
  • preventing or containing the spread of such animal diseases
  • eradicating those animal diseases
  • granting authorisations or approvals
  • issuing official certificates or official attestations

All diagnostic testing for influenza type A viruses from animals in scope of official controls or other official activities must be undertaken at either the NRL or an OL designated for a relevant purpose.

For influenza A viruses this includes but is not limited to testing:

Passive surveillance activities are outside the scope of official controls and other official activities unless:

  • disease is suspected
  • the surveillance activities are undertaken to fulfil a statutory requirement

National Reference Laboratory for avian influenza

The UK NRL for avian influenza is: 

Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA)
Weybridge Laboratory
Woodham Lane
Addlestone
KT15 3NB
England

The APHA Weybridge laboratory is also an Avian Influenza International Reference Laboratory (IRL). It is designated as a World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) avian influenza reference laboratory and a Food and Agriculture Organisation Reference Centre for Animal Influenza.

Official laboratories for avian influenza

There are no OLs currently designated for avian influenza. 

Email ah.official.laboratory.designation@defra.gov.uk if you are a diagnostic laboratory and you want to discuss requirements and potential official laboratory designation for avian influenza. Include in your email:

  • the name and address of all laboratory sites proposed for designation 
  • the name and address of the headquarters of the laboratory if different from the laboratory to be designated 
  • the name and contact details of all nominated contact persons for all laboratories to be designated 
  • the type of testing you wish to undertake under an OL designation 
  • the purpose of testing you wish to undertake under an OL designation 
  • whether you wish to undertake diagnostic testing as an OL on samples from animals located in Great Britain, Northern Ireland or both 
  • all laboratory sites proposed for designation’s current UKAS accreditation status (or if relevant, Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB) accreditation status) – outline whether your laboratory would be willing to commit to achieving EN ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation for assays and methodologies relevant to the laboratories’ potential designation as an OL 
  • all laboratory sites proposed for designation’s ACDP’s COSHH classification regime containment status 
  • all laboratory sites proposed for designation’s SAPO containment level licensing status

Diagnostic methods at the NRL

Infection with influenza A virus cannot be determined by clinical signs alone. Diagnostic testing is required. This includes diagnostic investigation to differentiate from infections with other notifiable viral pathogens including avian paramyxovirus type-1 (APMV-1).

The WOAH Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals sets out internationally agreed diagnostic laboratory methods for influenza A viruses in birds.

All diagnostic testing is conducted at the avian influenza NRL and IRL using United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) validated tests. All diagnostic testing is in line with WOAH standards as set out for Avian Influenza in the WOAH Terrestrial Manual.

Read advisory information on the use of influenza antigen tests (also known as lateral flow tests or penside tests) with samples from animals in the APHA Briefing Note 47/22 on the APHA Vet Gateway.

Notification and reporting requirements

The Animal Health Act 1981 (as amended) regulates the prevention, control and eradication of certain animal diseases in Great Britain. It provides powers, including emergency powers, to respond to the outbreak of diseases. It covers aspects of disease control including eradication and disposal of carcases.

Under this act, you must report animal diseases to the government, including zoonotic diseases. The act also sets out orders with specific implementing measures, including enforcement requirements.

Diseases you must report

‘Listed diseases’ are all animal diseases that must be notified or reported to government as a result of statutory provisions.

‘Notifiable diseases’ are listed diseases which require notification on suspicion, without confirmatory testing. Notification can be made by anyone.

‘Reportable diseases’ are listed diseases which only require notification following detection in diagnostic testing in a laboratory, the field or other setting.

Notification and reporting requirements for influenza type A viruses in animals are set out in:

Definitions of animal and diseases

The orders define:

Avian influenza as an infection of poultry or other captive birds caused by any influenza A virus of the subtypes H5 or H7 or with an intravenous pathogenic index in 6-week-old chickens greater than 1.2.

Poultry in England and Wales as a bird reared or kept in captivity for the purposes of:

i. the production of meat or eggs for consumption or other poultry products
ii. restocking supplies of game
iii. any breeding programme for the production of such categories of birds or products specified in sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii)

But it does not include any bird that is kept for the purposes of a single household, where both the following apply:

  • the bird and its keeper have no direct or indirect contact with other poultry or poultry facilities
  • the bird and products of the bird are used exclusively within, or for the purposes of the same household

Poultry in Scotland as a bird reared or kept in captivity to produce meat or eggs for consumption, or other products, for restocking supplies of game or for the purposes of any breeding programme to produce such categories of birds.

Other captive bird as a bird kept in captivity which is not poultry.

Wild birds as birds which are not poultry or other captive birds.

Carcase in England and Wales as any bird carcase or mammal carcase (except when used in the expression ‘mammal carcase’ or ‘bird carcase’) and includes any part of a carcase.

Carcase in Scotland as any bird carcase (except when used in the expression ‘mammal carcase’) and includes any part of a carcase.

Bird carcase as the carcase of any bird and includes any part of a bird carcase.

Mammal as any mammal, except man.

Mammal carcase as the carcase of any mammal and includes any part of a mammal carcase.

In England the Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (England) (No.2) Order 2006 (as amended) further defines:

Kept mammals as a mammal kept in captivity in the possession of or under the charge of a person.

Wild mammals as a mammal which lives freely in the wild and is not in the possession or under the charge of any person.

Avian influenza virus as any highly pathogenic avian influenza virus or low pathogenic avian influenza virus.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza as an infection of poultry or other captive birds caused by a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus as either an:

  • influenza A virus of the subtypes H5 or H7 with genome sequences containing multiple basic amino acids at the cleavage site of the haemagglutinin gene similar to that observed for other highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses, indicating that the haemagglutinin protein can be cleaved by a host ubiquitous protease
  • influenza A virus with an intravenous pathogenicity index in six-week-old chickens greater than 1.2

Low pathogenic avian influenza as an infection of poultry or other captive birds caused by a low pathogenic avian influenza virus.

Low pathogenic avian influenza virus as an avian influenza virus of subtypes H5 or H7, other than avian influenza viruses of subtypes H5 or H7, which cause highly pathogenic avian influenza.

Influenza of avian origin as an infection of a mammal with avian influenza virus.

In Wales The Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (Wales) (No.2) Order 2006 (as amended) and in Scotland The Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (Scotland) Order 2006 (as amended) further defines:

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) as an infection of poultry or other captive birds caused by either:

  • avian influenza viruses of the subtypes H5 or H7 with genome sequences codifying for multiple basic amino acids at the cleavage site of the haemagglutinin gene similar to that observed for other highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses, indicating that the haemagglutinin molecule can be cleaved by a host ubiquitous protease
  • avian influenza viruses with an intravenous pathogenicity index in 6-week-old chickens greater than 1.2

Low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) as an infection of poultry or other captive birds caused by avian influenza viruses of subtypes H5 or H7 other than avian influenza viruses of subtypes H5 or H7 which cause HPAI.

Influenza of avian origin is not specifically defined within:

However, within the scope of this guidance, influenza of avian origin is defined as an infection of a mammalian species with an influenza A virus that is normally only detected in avian species.

How to report avian influenza

This section explains how you can report avian influenza in:

  • poultry and other captive birds
  • wild and kept mammals
  • wild birds

Find out how your personal information will be used.

Poultry and other captive birds

Avian influenza is a notifiable disease in poultry and other captive birds.

You must report it immediately if you have, examine or inspect any poultry or other captive bird, or analyse samples from any poultry, captive bird or their carcasses and:

  • suspect the presence of avian influenza
  • detect evidence of avian influenza virus or antibodies to avian influenza virus

Report it immediately by calling:

  • 03000 200 301 if you’re in England
  • 03003 038 268 if you’re in Wales
  • your local Field Services Office if you’re in Scotland

If you do not report it, you are breaking the law.

For more information on clinical signs of avian influenza infection in poultry and other captive birds, read guidance on bird flu (avian influenza): how to spot and report it in poultry or other captive birds.

Wild and kept mammals

Influenza of avian origin is a notifiable disease caused by infection with an avian influenza virus in both wild and kept mammals.

In England you must report it immediately if you have a kept mammal or kept mammal carcase in your possession or under your charge, which either:

  • may be infected with avian influenza virus
  • has evidence of avian influenza virus or antibodies to avian influenza virus

In all parts of Great Britain, you must report it immediately if you examine or inspect any wild or kept mammal, or analyse samples from any wild or kept mammal or mammal carcase which either:

  • may be infected with avian influenza virus
  • has evidence of avian influenza virus or antibodies to avian influenza virus

You should report it immediately if you find a dead wild carnivore or marine mammal and the cause of death is unknown, or the animal has shown signs of respiratory or neurological disease before death.

APHA will triage reports and assess them against the risk the mammal may have been infected with an avian influenza virus. Find out how APHA monitors the risk of avian influenza infection in wild mammals.

Report it immediately by calling:

  • 03000 200 301 if you’re in England
  • 03003 038 268 if you’re in Wales
  • your local Field Services Office if you’re in Scotland

If you do not report it, you are breaking the law.

Read the influenza A (H5N1) infection in mammals: suspect case definition and diagnostic testing criteria for further information on when testing should be considered appropriate in mammals.

You should report other unusual mortality events in wild mammals in England and Wales to your local APHA Veterinary Investigation Centre, including:

  • 2 or more dead wild mammals together
  • nervous disease in wildlife
  • unusual deaths in wildlife

Find your local Veterinary Investigation Centre in APHA’s National surveillance network. After you have reported it, cases are triaged for inclusion in the Diseases of Wildlife Scheme (DoWs).

If you find wild mammals you think have:

Wild birds

You do not have to report suspicion of avian influenza in live wild birds.

In Great Britain, the public are encouraged to report dead wild birds.

APHA and their contractors collect some of these birds for testing at the NRL. This helps government understand the risk posed by avian influenza to both kept and wild birds.

Avian influenza is not a notifiable disease in wild birds in Great Britain. It is reportable in England.

In England, if you analyse a sample taken from a dead or live wild bird and you detect avian influenza virus or antibodies to avian influenza virus, you must report it to wildlifediseasepolicy@defra.gov.uk. Insert ‘wild bird avian influenza reporting’ in the subject line.

You must make your report within 14 days of detection. You should include details of:

  • the location the sampled wild bird came from
  • the species of wild bird that was sampled
  • the sample types from which evidence of avian influenza virus or antibodies to avian influenza virus were obtained
  • details of whether virus or antibodies were detected, and if so, any further information on sub-type, clade or genotype detected
  • details of any samples where negative results were obtained from the same wild bird
  • the date of death or the date the carcase was first observed of the wild bird from which samples were taken, or if unknown, the date of sampling of the carcase or if samples taken from a live wild bird the date of sampling
  • the date the samples were analysed by the laboratory
  • the name and address of the laboratory where the samples were analysed
  • the assay platform used by the laboratory, and for qPCR analysis, the number of cycles (commonly expressed as a Ct or Cq value) needed or viral copy number used to generate the positive result (these figures indicate the amount of viral RNA present in the sample)
  • whether archive material (carcase, samples, nucleic acid) has been retained (for the first detection in a new species or area, or a strain which was not previously known to be circulating in wild birds in Great Britain, the National Reference Laboratory may request samples for further official testing if it could relate to a strain of significant public health concern or Defra’s international reporting obligations)

You do not need to report detections of avian influenza virus or antibodies to avian influenza virus in wild birds:

  • made using lateral flow devices
  • made from samples taken from wild birds in Wales or Scotland at the time of their death, or if samples taken from live birds were located in Wales or Scotland when they were sampled (these detections can be reported on a voluntary basis using the same system as mandated for England)
  • made from samples taken from wild birds that were located outside Great Britain at the time of their death, or if samples were taken from live birds outside of Great Britain at the time they were sampled

Find out how APHA monitor the risk of avian influenza in wild birds.

There are options for recording mortality of wild birds that are not specific to avian influenza. You can record these through the:

Recording this data helps support but does not replace the reporting of dead wild birds to Defra. Read the Mitigation Strategy for Avian Influenza in Wild Birds in England and Wales for more information.

Wild birds taken in for rehabilitation

Wild birds taken in for rehabilitation must be considered as ‘other captive birds’ for the purpose of reporting requirements. If you suspect avian influenza you must report it immediately as for other poultry or captive birds.

Report it immediately by calling:

  • 03000 200 301 if you’re in England
  • 03003 038 268 if you’re in Wales
  • your local Field Services Office if you’re in Scotland

If you do not report it, you are breaking the law.

Wild bird carcases being stored for collection or disposal

You must tell HSE if a wild bird carcase or samples from a wild bird carcase (or any other animal carcases or samples from an animal carcase) are:

  • being held or handled at a facility that does not have an appropriate SAPO licence
  • there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that a SAPO pathogen is present

Report it to HSE’s Microbiological and Biotechnology Unit:

You do not need to report wild bird carcases infected or suspected of being infected with avian influenza which are being temporarily stored before collection as part of the APHA avian influenza wild bird surveillance programme.

Carcases must:

  • be stored in a manner and area that meets COSHH requirements and protects human health and the environment
  • must be double bagged in leakproof bags, each bag must be secured using the ‘gooseneck’ method using a cable tie

Both the inner and outer bags must be disinfected using an appropriate Defra-approved disinfectant.

The list of Defra-approved disinfectants sets out which products should be used for avian influenza, and the concentration of the disinfectant you must use. Further information is provided in the Defra-approved disinfectants guidance.

You do not need to report to HSE if wild bird carcases infected or suspected of being infected with avian influenza are disposed of in line with category 1 animal by-products requirements. Read guidance on removing and disposing of dead wild birds.

Defra’s international reporting obligations

Avian influenza is a World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) listed disease. As a WOAH member country, Defra must report on behalf of the UK:

  • all HPAIVs, irrespective of their subtypes, detected in birds (domestic and wild)
  • all LPAIVs, in domestic or captive wild birds, that have proven natural transmission to humans with severe consequences

The UK may voluntarily report LPAIVs detected in wild birds that have not been associated with natural transmission to humans with severe consequences. The UK may report this to WOAH through the voluntary report on non WOAH-listed diseases in wildlife.

The detection of influenza of avian origin in mammals meets the criteria for reporting to WOAH as an emerging infection in accordance with the WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code. The information the UK provides to WOAH is reported through WOAH’s World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS). WAHIS acts as an early warning system for the management of alert notices and as an ongoing global monitoring system for avian influenza and other WOAH-listed and new and emerging diseases.

Enforcement and how to report non-compliance

It is an offence under the Animal Health Act 1981 (as amended) to not comply with the following orders:

Report suspicion of avian influenza which has not been reported

You must tell APHA if you suspect avian influenza in poultry, captive birds, kept or wild mammals. You must report it immediately to APHA so that a veterinary investigation can be initiated as soon as possible.

Report it immediately by calling:

  • 03000 200 301 if you’re in England
  • 03003 038 268 if you’re in Wales
  • your local Field Services Office if you’re in Scotland

If you do not report it, you are breaking the law.

Report a failure to report avian influenza

You should report a failure to report suspicion or detection to the APHA Intelligence Unit. This includes a failure to report:

  • suspicion or detection of avian influenza virus or antibodies to avian influenza virus in poultry or other captive birds anywhere in Great Britain
  • suspicion or detection of influenza of avian origin in kept or wild mammals anywhere in Great Britain
  • detection of avian influenza in wild birds from England

Email intelunit@apha.gov.uk.

APHA may refer reports to the Defra Investigation Service for further investigation, or to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons if they are relevant to professional standards of veterinary professionals. Read more information in Defra’s enforcement policy statement.

HSE are responsible for licensing and the enforcement of work activities involving biological agents, including avian influenza, in relation to SAPO and COSHH.

You must report work-related incidents with hazardous biological agents covered under the requirements of SAPO and COSHH which results in:

  • uncontrolled releases
  • injuries
  • dangerous occurrences

Telephone HSE on 0300 003 1647.

Report animal pathogen crime

Certain specified animal pathogens also fall under the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 which is the responsibility of the Home Office.

Any incident resulting from a breach of security, act of terrorism or deliberate vandalism involving specified animal pathogens is a matter for the police.

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