Bird flu: near Swineshead, Boston, Lincolnshire (AIV2025/78)

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry near Swineshead, Boston, Lincolnshire on 31 October 2025.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Animal and Plant Health Agency
• Published: 31 October 2025
• Last updated: 12 December 2025 — 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: 31 October 2025

Case information

12 December 2025

Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance in the zone around a near Swineshead, Boston, Lincolnshire (AIV2025/78), the protection zone has ended and the area that formed it becomes part of the surveillance zone.

31 October 2025

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry near Swineshead, Boston, Lincolnshire (AIV 2025/78) on 31 October 2025.

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

Declarations

Download the declaration of the ending of a protection zone (PDF)

This revokes and replaces:

Download the declaration of an avian influenza protection zone and surveillance 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 2025/78

Published 31 October 2025

Last updated 12 December 2025 + show all updates

1. 12 December 2025

   Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance in the zone around a near Swineshead, Boston, Lincolnshire (AIV2025/78), the protection zone has ended and the area that formed it becomes part of the surveillance zone.

2. 31 October 2025

   First published.