Bird flu: fourth premises near Gainsborough, West Lindsey, Lincolnshire (AIV2026/17)

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry near Gainsborough, West Lindsey, Lincolnshire on 14 April 2026.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Animal and Plant Health Agency
• Published: 14 April 2026
• Last updated: 20 May 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• Disease control zone restrictions: No longer in force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: 14 April 2026
• Case closed date: 20 May 2026

Case information

20 May 2026

Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance in the zone around a fourth premises near Gainsborough, West Lindsey, Lincolnshire (AIV 2026/17) the 10km surveillance zone has been revoked.

11 May 2026

Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance in the zone around a fourth premises near Gainsborough, West Lindsey, Lincolnshire (AIV 2026/17) 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.

14 April 2026

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in a fourth large commercial poultry unit near Gainsborough, West Lindsey, Lincolnshire.

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

Declaration

Download the declaration of the revocation of the surveillance zone (PDF)

This revokes and replaces:

Declaration of the ending of a Protection Zone (PDF)

This revokes and replaces:

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 2026/17

Published 14 April 2026

Last updated 20 May 2026 + show all updates

1. 20 May 2026

   Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance in the zone around a fourth premises near Gainsborough, West Lindsey, Lincolnshire (AIV 2026/17) the 10km surveillance zone has been revoked.

2. 11 May 2026

   Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance in the zone around a fourth premises near Gainsborough, West Lindsey, Lincolnshire (AIV 2026/17) the 3km protection zone has ended and the area that formed it becomes part of the surveillance zone.

3. 20 April 2026

   Updated to reflect that this is the fourth premises near Gainsborough, West Lindsey, Lincolnshire where Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 has been confirmed and not the third.

4. 14 April 2026

   First published.