Bird flu: near Needham Market, Mid Suffolk, Suffolk (AIV 2026/12)

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in a small poultry flock near Needham Market, Mid Suffolk, Suffolk on 30 January 2026.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Animal and Plant Health Agency
• Published: 30 January 2026
• Last updated: 26 February 2026 — See all updates

• Disease Type: Bird flu (avian influenza)
• Disease control zone restrictions: In force
• Disease control zone type: Surveillance zone
• Virus strain: H5N1
• Case opened date: 30 January 2026

Case information

26 February 2026

Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance in the zone around a premises near Needham Market, Mid Suffolk, Suffolk (AIV 2026/12), the 3km protection zone has ended and the area that formed it, becomes part of the surveillance zone.

All poultry on the premises have been humanely culled.

30 January 2026

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in a small poultry flock near Needham Market, Mid Suffolk, Suffolk (AIV 2026/12).

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

Declarations

Declaration of the ending of a protection zone (PDF)

This replaces:

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 2026/12

Published 30 January 2026

Last updated 26 February 2026 + show all updates

1. 26 February 2026

   Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance in the zone around a premises near Needham Market, Mid Suffolk, Suffolk (AIV 2026/12), the 3km protection zone has ended and the area that formed it, becomes part of the surveillance zone.

2. 30 January 2026

   First published.