Guidance

Avian influenza (bird flu): advice for the public on reducing risk

This guidance gives advice to the public on reducing the risk of avian influenza.

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Avian influenza (bird flu) is an infectious disease that primarily affects birds, caused by the influenza A virus. Some birds will not show signs of avian influenza infection, so it is not always possible to know if birds are infected with, or have died from, avian influenza.

If you feel you cannot avoid touching an injured, sick, or dead wild bird, then you should read and follow this guidance to reduce the risk of catching avian influenza.

This guidance is for members of the public. People whose work involves regular contact with kept or wild birds or their environment should follow Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance on working with poultry that is suspected of having avian influenza.

Updates to this page

Published 19 March 2024
Last updated 19 November 2025 show all updates
  1. Updated guidance.

  2. First published.

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