A protection zone has been set up around two separate sitesThe bird flu control zone on the B5010 Station Road near Elvaston CastleAvian flu (bird flu) control zone (Image: Derby Telegraph)

Two separate poultry farms in Devon have had an outbreak of bird flu, reports have confirmed.

A commercial poultry site near Lifton, west Devon, and another near Seaton, east Devon, have confirmed cases of the H5N1 avian influenza virus.

The outbreaks were confirmed on Friday, August 8, by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Animal and Plant Health Agency.

Outbreak near Seaton

DEFRA said: “Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry at a premises near Seaton, East Devon, Devon on 8 August 2025.

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

The protection and surveillance zone near Seaton(Image: DEFRA)Outbreak near Lifton

DEFRA said: “Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry at a premises near Lifton, West Devon, Devon on 8 August 2025.

“A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone has been declared around the premises.

“All poultry on the premises will be humanely culled.”

The protection and surveillance zone near Lifton(Image: DEFRA)

In 3km protection zones and 3km temporary control zones, you must:

  • follow the rules for 10km surveillance zones and 10km temporary control zones
  • keep poultry and other captive birds housed – find out how to house them safely
  • follow the instructions from your veterinary inspector to dispose of any bird carcasses
  • not spread poultry litter, manure or slurry, or remove them from your premises
  • not move poultry or other captive birds onto or off your premises without a licence (there are exceptions for pets)
  • not move eggs without a licence (you can move table eggs to wholesale or retail premises to be sold directly to consumers)
  • not move poultry meat inside or outside the zone, unless you follow the rules in the case declaration

If you’re in a 10km surveillance zone or a 10km temporary control zone, you must:

  • keep a record of all poultry or poultry eggs that enter or leave your premises, except table eggs that are being moved direct to wholesale or retail premises to be sold directly to consumers
  • not move poultry, other captive birds, or mammals (including pigs) to or from premises where poultry or other captive birds are kept without a licence (there are exceptions for pets)
  • not spread poultry litter, manure or slurry, or remove them from your premises