Bird flu: near Castle Hedingham, Braintree, Essex (AIV 2025/123)

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in captive birds near Castle Hedingham, Braintree, Essex on 6 December 2025.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Animal and Plant Health Agency
• Published: 8 December 2025
• Last updated: 30 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• Disease control zone restrictions: No longer in force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: 6 December 2025

Case information

30 January 2026

Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance in the zone around a premises near Castle Hedingham, Braintree, Essex (AIV 2025/123), the 3km captive bird (monitoring) controlled zone has been revoked.

All birds on the premises have been culled.

6 December 2025

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in a backyard flock of captive birds near Castle Hedingham, Braintree, Essex. A 3km captive bird (monitoring) controlled zone has been declared around the premises.

Declarations

Declaration of the ending of a captive bird (monitoring) controlled zone

This revokes and replaces:

Declaration of a captive bird (monitoring) control 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 2025/123

Published 8 December 2025

Last updated 30 January 2026 + show all updates

1. 30 January 2026

   Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance in the zone around a premises near Castle Hedingham, Braintree, Essex (AIV 2025/123), the 3km captive bird (monitoring) controlled zone has been revoked. All birds on the premises have been culled.

2. 8 December 2025

   First published.