Bird flu protection zones declared in Midlothian after H5N1 outbreak confirmed
Protection zones have been declared near Penicuik after outbreaks of bird flu were confirmed at two farms in the area.
All poultry at the affected farms will be humanely culled and all movement of poultry with a 3 kilometre radius of the two farms is severely restricted. In addition there is a 10 kilometre surveillance zone around each of the farms, where movement is also restricted.
An official notice in the name of Scotland’s Chief Veterinary Officer was issued on Christmas Eve, declaring that highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 had been confirmed in a large commercial poultry unit at Kingside Farm, Leadburn, West Linton, EH46 7BG.
It followed a notice issued two days earlier, confirming a similar outbreak at Halls Farm, Penicuik, EH26 8PW. The zones for the two farms are largely overlapping.
Another outbreak was confirmed at Whim Poultry Farm, West Linton, EH46 7BD, on December 18, with similar protection and surveillance zones put in place.
In addition to the restrictions on movement, keepers of poultry within any of the zones are required to inspect their stock for signs of infection and report any signs of disease immediately. They must also keep records of their flock, including numbers of poultry, poultry falling ill or dying, the amount of feed and water being consumed and any egg production.
The Animal and Plant Health Agency said the first case of HPAI H5N1 in the 2025-26 outbreak season was confirmed in England on October 11 and in Scotland on November 12. There have been four outbreaks in Scotland so far.