Bird flu: premises near Ashcott, Wells and Mendip Hills, Somerset (AIV 2025/116)

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry at a premises near Ashcott, Wells and Mendip Hills, Somerset on 29 November 2025.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Animal and Plant Health Agency
• Published: 29 November 2025
• Last updated: 22 January 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: 29 November 2025

Case information

22 January 2026

Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance around a premises near Ashcott, Wells and Mendip Hills, Somerset (AIV 2025/116), 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.

29 November 2025

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in a large commercial poultry premises near Ashcott, Wells and Mendip Hills, Somerset (AIV 2025/116).

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

Download the declaration of the ending of a protection zone

This revokes and replaces:

Declaration of a 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 2025/116

Published 29 November 2025

Last updated 22 January 2026 + show all updates

1. 22 January 2026

   Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance around a premises near Ashcott, Wells and Mendip Hills, Somerset (AIV 2025/116), the 3km protection zone has ended and the area that formed it becomes part of the surveillance zone.

2. 29 November 2025

   First published.