The UK government on Tuesday ordered all poultry in England to be kept indoors as cases of avian influenza continue to rise.

The order takes effect from Thursday and will apply to all bird keepers across England who own more than 50 poultry or captive birds, or who sell or give eggs away.

“Given the continued increase in the number of avian influenza cases in kept birds and wild birds across England, we are now taking the difficult step to extend the housing measures to the whole of England,” said Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss.

Similar restrictions had already been introduced in parts of northern, central, and eastern England last week.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said the risk to human health remains low and confirmed that “properly cooked” poultry and eggs are safe to eat.

According to the European ESA animal health monitor, 85 avian flu outbreaks were recorded in poultry farms across Europe between August 1 and late October, with 28 reported in the final week of that period. Six of those outbreaks occurred in Britain.

In January, the UK government had ordered the culling of birds within a three-kilometre radius of confirmed cases, alongside stricter hygiene and movement controls.

The virus, which spreads through droppings, saliva, or contaminated food and water, has led to widespread monitoring of farms and wild bird populations.

Vaccinations against bird flu remain prohibited in the UK except for birds kept in zoos.