Bird flu: near Bicester, Cherwell, Oxfordshire (AIV 2025/129)

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in a backyard flock near Bicester, Cherwell, Oxfordshire on 20 December 2025.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Animal and Plant Health Agency
• Published: 20 December 2025
• Last updated: 23 January 2026 — See all updates

• Disease Type: Bird flu (avian influenza)
• Disease control zone restrictions: No longer in force
• Disease control zone type: None
• Virus strain: H5N1
• Case opened date: 20 December 2025
• Case closed date: 23 January 2026

Case information

23 January 2026

Following successful completion of disease control activity and surveillance around a premises near Bicester, Cherwell, Oxfordshire (AIV 2025/129), the Captive Bird (Monitoring) Controlled Zone has been revoked.

All poultry have been humanely culled.

20 December 2025

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in a backyard flock near Bicester, Cherwell, Oxfordshire (AIV 2025/129).

A 3km captive bird (monitoring) controlled zone has been declared around the premises. All poultry on the premises will be humanely culled.

Download the declaration of the revocation of a captive bird(monitoring) controlled zone

This revokes:

Declaration of a captive bird (monitoring) controlled zone (PDF)

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 2025/129

Published 20 December 2025

Last updated 23 January 2026 + show all updates

1. 23 January 2026

   Following successful completion of disease control activity and surveillance around a premises near Bicester, Cherwell, Oxfordshire (AIV 2025/129), the Captive Bird (Monitoring) Controlled Zone has been revoked. All poultry have been humanely culled.

2. 20 December 2025

   First published.