A case of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus, otherwise known as bird flu, has been detected in Scotland, according to the Scottish chief veterinary officer.
The case, confirmed on Friday (August 1) in Banff, Aberdeenshire has triggered a 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone around the property.
The government confirmed that all poultry on these premises will be humanely culled to prevent any disease-spread.
This is the first confirmed case of the disease in Scotland since March 2025, when a case was confirmed in Inverness.
Scotland introduced an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone across the country on January 25, 2025.
Bird flu prevention
The Scottish government and chief veterinary officer in Scotland have advised farmers and other bird keepers what practices to follow in keeping out the disease.
The department advised farmers that good biosecurity will limit the spread of the infection and help keep the disease out of flocks.
The Scottish government told keepers with more than 500 birds to restrict access for non-essential personnel on their sites.
Any workers coming in and out of bird enclosures must change their clothing and footwear before entering, and all site vehicles must be cleaned and disinfected regularly.
The government also advised backyard owners with smaller numbers of poultry – including chickens, ducks and geese – to take the correct steps in minimising disease spread.
The chief veterinary officer confirmed that this also applies to people who only have a few birds as pets, as an outbreak of bird flu in backyard poultry results in the same restrictions on movement of birds.
Wild animals
The government has also warned against touching any dead birds and other wild mammals, as the carcasses can still be carriers of the disease.
The government said that there are avian influenza surveillance systems in place for the reporting and monitoring of dead wild birds and certain species suspected of having been infected with avian influenza.
The Scottish government also advised the public to report the location of any dead wild animals they may come across to the local APHA field services office.
The public has been advised, as with dead wild birds, that if they find a dead animal of any species, to not pick it up.
The government is advising all bird owners to remain vigilant, especially in high risk areas, and reminded farmers that bird flu is a notifiable disease in poultry and any suspected cases on a farm you should be reported in accordance with the law.
