UK Scotland: H5N5 Reported In Eurasian Otters - AIPZs Declared for England and Scotland

[Michael Coston]

UK Scotland: H5N5 Reported In Eurasian Otters - AIPZs Declared for England and Scotland​

#19,412

We've been watching the co-circulation and spread of an H5N5 subtype of avian flu - primarily in the high latitude regions of the Northern Hemisphere - for the past 3 years (see Preprint: H5N5 virus transmission is driven by repeated cross-Atlantic introductions and transmission among high latitude seabirds).

We've seen numerous reports of H5N5 from Norway, Svalbard island, Iceland, and eastern Canada, often infecting mammals, including cats, polar bears, raccoons, foxes, and walruses.

In the spring of 2025, the UK reported 15 grey seals infected with H5N5. The following November, in UK: HPAI H5N5 Rising, we saw a sudden shift in H5N5 activity in wild birds in the UK, with the APHA reporting:

Since our previous outbreak assessment on 7 October 2024, there have been no new reports of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) H5 clade 2.3.3.4b in domestic poultry in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). There have, however, been 15 more HPAI H5 clade 2.3.3.4b events involving 26 “found-dead” wild birds in Great Britain. Of these, 25 were HPAI H5N5 with 1 case of HPAI H5N1.

Also in November of 2025 the United States reported the first (and fatal) human infection with H5N5. While still a minor player in the global scheme of things, H5N5 continues to show surprising resilience and spread.

While most of these reports have involved wild birds and/or small mammals, in early October Scotland reported an outbreak of H5N5 in commercial poultryin Ness, Isle of Lewis.

3 October 2026

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N5 was confirmed in commercial backyard poultry in Ness, Isle of Lewis, Scotland (AIV 2026/20). A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone has been declared around the premises. This is the first outbreak of the 2026 to 2027 season and following confirmation of this case, GB has lost its freedom from highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu) status.

In an update, posted today by defra, the UK government has announced AIPZs (avian influenza protection zones)have been declared for both England and Scotland.

11 November 2026
AIPZ declared in England and Scotland from 11 November 2026

Following a number of findings of highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds and detections in poultry and increased risk levels, an avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ) has been declared covering England and Scotland to mitigate the risk of further outbreaks of disease occurring.

This means that it is a legal requirement for all bird keepers in England and Scotland to follow strict biosecurity to prevent bird flu and stop it spreading.

You can read more information on the requirements for certain types of bird:

in the declaration for the AIPZ in England
In the declaration for the AIPZ in Scotland

Additionally, today defra has updated their avian flu in on-avian wildlife list for the first time since early March, adding three recent H5N5 detections over 5 weeks.



The most recent High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) in Great Britain and Europe Update Assessment (#11) - dated Nov. 6th, but released yesterday- carries the following map showing 81 detections of HPAI H5 since Oct 1st.

I've circled the H5N5 detections. For now, all are on the western and northern coastlines, which fits the narrative that it is primarily carried by sea and shore birds.

Whether it can establish itself further inland remains to be seen. But for now, it seems to be holding its own against H5N1.

https://afludiary.blogspot.com/2026/11/uk-scotland-h5n5-reported-in-eurasian.html