H5N1 bird flu confirmed at poultry premises near Biggar, Scottish Borders
A 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone are now in force around the site. It is the third outbreak of highly pathogenic bird flu in UK poultry since the season began on 1 October.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 was confirmed on Monday 2 November at a premises near Biggar, Scottish Borders, the Scottish Government said. Defra's latest situation update describes the site as commercial poultry and says all the birds there will be humanely culled.
A 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone have been declared around the premises. Keepers can check whether they fall inside either zone using the Scottish Government's interactive disease map.
Rules inside the zones
The full restrictions are set out in a legal declaration published with the notice, and anyone who does not comply may be charged. In summary, anyone keeping animals inside a zone must:
- inspect their birds for signs of infection and report any to their vet, their local APHA Field Services office or the APHA line on 03000 600 703
- keep records of flock numbers, birds falling ill or dying, feed and water use and egg production
- keep a record of everyone who visits the premises
Moving poultry, other captive birds, eggs, meat or carcases, and spreading poultry litter, manure or slurry, are allowed only under the conditions of general licences. Dairy cattle, sheep, goats and other mammals kept for milk need a specific licence before they can be moved, applied for by email to outbreak.licensing@apha.gov.uk.
Pet mammals are not restricted, provided they stay in the part of the premises where people live and have no contact with poultry, other captive birds or the areas where birds are kept.
Third case of the season
The outbreak season runs from 1 October to 30 September. The Biggar case is the third confirmed in UK poultry in 2026-27, according to Defra's figures. The first was an H5N5 case in commercial backyard poultry at Ness on the Isle of Lewis on 2 October, which ended Great Britain's status as free of the disease. The second, an H5N1 case, was confirmed in commercial poultry near Belford in north Northumberland on 19 October. The protection zone at Ness was lifted on 30 October and that area became part of the surveillance zone.
Wales and Northern Ireland have had no cases so far this season. Defra's table shows 100 highly pathogenic cases in the 2025 to 2026 season and 82 the season before.
The Scottish Government says keepers should keep checking its notice and the map, which will show when the zones around Biggar are merged or lifted.
