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Publication - Advice and guidance

Avian influenza (bird flu): how to spot and report the disease

Last updated
22 July 2026 - see all updates
Directorate
Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic
Farming and rural

Advice on what to do if you suspect there is an outbreak of avian influenza.

Part of

View supporting documents Supporting documents

Dead or sick wild birds or animals: what to do

Advice for members of the public, farmers and landowners

Wild birds

Do not touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds that you find. Wild birds can carry several diseases that are infectious to people.

In Scotland, if you find at the same time:

  • a single dead bird of prey, swan, goose, duck, gull or blackbird
  • five or more dead wild birds of any other species

you should report them on gov.uk's report dead wild birds page.

Alternatively, you can phone the helpline: 03459 33 55 77. 

If you do not wish to provide your contact details

If you wish to submit a report without providing contact details, then the telephone helpline should be used. You must be 18 or over to use this service to report dead wild birds.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency’s GB Avian Influenza Wildlife Interactive Map and Data Dashboard

For more information see the:

If wild birds are not suspected of being infected with a disease and do not require reporting to the gov.uk ‘report dead wild birds’ page, follow the advice below for their disposal.

Disposal of dead wild birds found on private property

It is recommended you do not touch or pick up a dead, wild bird, but leave it in situ. However, should you choose to dispose of the dead, wild bird, the following methods should be applied:

Household or municipal waste refuse:

  • if possible, wear disposable protective gloves when picking up and handling dead wild birds (if disposable gloves are not available, a plastic bag can be used as a make-shift glove). When the dead bird has been picked up, the bag can be turned back on itself and tied. It should then be placed in a second plastic bag, tied and disposed of in the normal household waste (lidded bin outside)
  • place the dead bird in a suitable plastic bag, preferably leak proof. Care should be taken not to contaminate the outside of the bag
  • tie the bag and place it in a second plastic bag
  • remove gloves by turning them inside out and then place them in the second plastic bag. Tie the bag and dispose of it in the normal household refuse bin

Burial:

  • the dead bird can be buried, but not in a plastic bag
  • the depth of the burial hole must be sufficient to prevent animals scavenging and gaining access to it – at least 60 cm deep is advised
  • the location must not be near any watercourses, or likely to contaminate local water supplies

Disposal of dead wild birds on public land

Where dead birds are on public land, the local authority will consider on a case by case basis the removal of carcases. See our guidance on how to report a dead or injured animal.

Wild animals

If a dead wild terrestrial animal is suspected of having been infected with a disease that can spread to people or other animals, such as avian influenza, you must report it immediately by contacting your local Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) Field Services Office. Failure to do so is an offence.

If a dead marine terrestrial animal is suspected of having been infected with a disease that can spread to people or other animals, such as avian influenza, you must report it immediately by contacting the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (SMASS).

Do not touch or pick up any dead animal that you find. Wild animals can carry several diseases that are infectious to people.

Sick birds and animals

Report an injured/sick animal or bird to the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) in Scotland.

Telephone: 03000 999 999). Information about call charges is available.

The SSPCA advises people who have found an injured or sick bird to contain the bird without making contact. Please then phone the SSPCA’s animal helpline on the number above.

Wildlife crime

If you find a dead bird of prey/corvid that you believe to be the victim of wildlife crime, do not touch the bird. This will help preserve any evidence of a potential crime scene. Also, the dead bird may contain poisons that can be absorbed into the skin or contaminate the environment. Please contact the police on 101 and ask if the matter can be referred to a Wildlife Crime Officer. There is more information on the Police Scotland website. Alternatively, the incident can be reported anonymously to CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.

Human health implications

Some strains of bird flu can pass to humans, but this is very rare. It usually requires very close contact between humans and infected birds. Find out more at: bird flu and human health. 

Read about the latest avian influenza outbreak situation in Scotland, including details of the current disease response plan.

Contact

Email: Animal.Health@gov.scot (However, only report dead wild bird findings via 03459 33 55 77).

Animal Health and Welfare 
Scottish Government
Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Saughton House
Edinburgh

Related information

Avian influenza (bird flu) outbreaks

First published
19 March 2021
Last updated
22 July 2026 - show all updates

  1. Licensing page updated with revocation information.

  2. Bird gatherings section on licensing page updated.

  3. Updated dead or sick wild birds or animals: what to do page to reflect changes in thresholds for reporting dead wild birds.

  4. Licensing page updated with bird gathering information.

  5. Licensing page updated with new lab testing general licence.

  6. Licensing page updates made to general licences section to reflect latest situation.

  7. Licensing page updates made to general licences section to reflect latest situation.

  8. Updated biosecurity page with link to photo guidance and update to risk level on wild bird surveillance.

  9. Update made to register your birds section to remove site maintenance message.

  10. Updates to vaccination text in how to control the disease section and updates made to register your birds section re site maintenance.

  11. Updates to the bird gathering general licence.

  12. Update to risk level in wild bird surveillance page.

  13. Minor update made to bird gathering general licence text on licensing page.

  14. Added poster PDF for "clinical signs of avian influenza".

  15. Link to general licence added to licensing page.

  16. Updated poster PDF for "top tips for avian biosecurity".

  17. Updated poster PDF for "a small flock keeper's guide to biosecurity".

  18. Updated the how to control avian influenza page with vaccination information.

  19. Added poster PDF for "the legal requirement to register your birds".

  20. Updated to reflect restrictions to bird gatherings.

  21. Updated the biosecurity page with information about game birds.

  22. Added poster PDF for "bird flu has been detected in this area".

  23. Minor updates to wild bird surveillance page.

  24. Minor updates to bird registration page.

  25. Text updates in licencing and register your birds sections.

  26. Minor text update in licensing section.

  27. Register your bird page amendment made to website address under the registration in England and Wales section.

  28. Updated with details of new bird registration requirements.

  29. Updated with details of the process for the Scottish Kept Bird Register which will go live on 1 September 2024.

  30. Updates to risk level on Wild bird surveillance.

  31. Added The Avian Influenza (Preventive Measures) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2024 to legislation page.

  32. Updated the 'register your birds' page. Added information about the new Scottish Kept Bird Register.

  33. Changed wild bird risk from high to medium.

  34. Updated information on general licence on bird gatherings.

  35. Updated legislation page to amend broken link for preventative measures.

  36. addition of details on The Animal and Plant Health Agency’s GB Avian Influenza Wildlife Interactive Map and Data Dashboard to the Dead or sick wild birds page

  37. Added revised small flock holders checklist to downloads page.

  38. Chapter on avian influenza and pets updated.

  39. Updates to dead or sick wild bird section.

  40. Update to risk level on Wild bird surveillance.

  41. Added new section on pets and pet birds.

  42. Updates to risk level on Wild bird surveillance.

  43. Clinical signs page updated to include reference Low pathogenic avian influenza (LAPI) H7N3 being confirmed in Scotland.

  44. Minor text change to 'Dead or sick wild birds: what to do'.

  45. Updated Wild birds surveillance.

  46. Updated general licences information in the licensing chapter.

  47. Updated Biosecurity.

  48. Removed links on Biosecurity.

  49. Updated dead or sick wild birds page.

  50. Updated Wild bird surveillance.

  51. Minor text updates to How to control avian influenza.

  52. Updated Wild bird surveillance.

  53. Updated Dead or sick wild birds: what to do.

  54. Minor text updates to Higher risk areas (HRAs).

  55. What do do page and wild bird surveillance pages updated.

  56. What do do page and wild bird surveillance pages updated.

  57. Reviewed and updated to link to latest avian influenza declaration because housing measures have been lifted.

  58. What do do page updated.

  59. Updated Clinical signs.

  60. Updates to Licensing.

  61. Updates to Licensing.

  62. Updated contact details.

  63. Legislation page amended to add link to the Avian Influenza (H5N1 in Birds etc.) (Miscellaneous Amendment and Revocation) (Scotland) Order 2021.

  64. Update text.

  65. Update hyperlinks

  66. Update text.

  67. Updates to Licensing page.

  68. Updates to Licensing page.

  69. Update to general licence information.

  70. Updated Risk level text on Wild bird surveillance.

  71. Minor update to wild bird surveillance and dead or sick wild birds: what to do.

  72. Updated dead or sick wild bird chapter.

  73. Updated to link to recent reports of cases.

  74. Updated to reflect wild bird surveillance findings.

  75. Updated self-assessment checklist on Biosecurity page.

  76. Added link to movement of poultry by-products and hatching eggs licence to licensing page.

  77. Updates to latest situation.

  78. Added link to movement of table eggs general licence to licensing page.

  79. 'Game birds' section added to Latest situation.

  80. Licensing section updated with link to movement of poultry carcases general licence

  81. Wild bird surveillance section on latest outbreaks page updated.

  82. Minor formatting amendments to licensing page.

  83. Licensing page updated to add link to movement of samples for salmonella testing: general licence.

  84. Amended Dead or sick wild birds: what to do.

  85. Licensing page updated to add link to movement of mammals general licence.

  86. Updated licensing page.

  87. Link to application requesting exemption to restrictions on licensing page amended.

  88. Latest situation updated.

  89. Licence section updated to reflect latest situation.

  90. Changes to Latest situation.

  91. Added link to latest situation publication.

  92. Updated Latest situation.

  93. Updated Latest situation.

  94. Updated Latest situation.

  95. Minor textual changes to Latest situation.

  96. Latest situation updated.

  97. Latest situation updated.

  98. Dead or sick wild birds information updated.

  99. Update to bird gatherings permitted section.

  100. Minor updates to make content clearer.

  101. Latest situation updated with information about general licence for bird gatherings.

  102. Latest situation updated with information about housing measures lifted on 31 March (23:59 hrs).

  103. Link to risk assessment guide and AIPZ declaration added.

  104. Latest situation information updated with information about the Housing order to be lifted 23:59 31 March, but Avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ) still in place.

  105. Declaration of end of protection zone and revocation of restricted zone for Glenrothes area.

  106. Latest situation information updated.

  107. Updated to include information about highly pathogenic strain, PZ and SZ specifications and general licence on mammal movement.

  108. Latest situation information updated re declaration of two Temporary Control Zones in Glenrothes.

  109. Latest situation information updated.

  110. Wild bird surveillance information updated.

  111. Updated the licencing page to say the licence has been revoked.

  112. Latest situation information updated.

  113. Update adding link to end of surveillance zone protection declaration, and additional locations for presence of H5 vaccine

  114. Duck, geese and gamebirds poster added as well as link to Avian Influenza Prevention Zone poster.

  115. Latest situation information updated.

  116. Latest situation information updated.

  117. Added new section on licencing for Protection and Surveillance Zones.

  118. Updated latest information section.

  119. Information about disposing of dead wild birds found on private property added.

  120. Latest situation information updated.

  121. Latest situation information updated.

  122. Latest situation information updated.

  123. Latest situation information updated.

  124. Latest situation information updated.

  125. Latest situation information updated.

  126. information added to the dead or sick wild birds: what to do section

  127. Latest situation information updated to include Avian influenza H5N8 (pathogenicity to be confirmed) has been confirmed in poultry and captive birds at a premises near Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.

  128. Latest situation information updated.

  129. Latest situated information updated to reflect highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) of the H5N8 strain has been confirmed in broiler breeder chickens at a premises near Leominster in Herefordshire.

  130. Latest situated information updated to reflect the declaration of an Avian influenza Prevention Zone has been declared across the whole of Scotland as of 17:00 on 11 November 2020.

  131. Latest situation updated to reflect two unrelated confirmed cases of avian influenza in England and increasing reports of avian influenza affecting flocks in mainland Europe.

  132. Pathogen information updated to reflect latest results.

  133. Latest information updated to include links to 2 new outbreaks of Avian Influenza in Cheshire and Kent.

  134. Latest situation updated to reflect the fact that here are currently no restrictions.

  135. Original publication date.

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