HPAI protection and surveillance zones — what they mean for your farm
When an avian influenza outbreak appears nearby, the District Veterinary Officer establishes zones with prohibitions and obligations. Learn what each zone means in practice and how to check whether your farm is within range.
verifiedFrom the team that has organised work on poultry farms for years.
Why are zones established around an HPAI outbreak?
Once a laboratory confirms a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak, the District Veterinary Officer (DVO) issues a decision establishing two concentric zones around the infected holding: a protection zone (the inner zone, with the strictest restrictions) and a surveillance zone (the wider zone, with additional monitoring). The zones are established under the Polish Minister of Agriculture regulation on HPAI control measures and EU Regulation 2020/687. The exact boundaries and duration can vary with each DVO decision.
Approximate radii — what the legislation says
EU and national legislation sets out approximate minimum radii: the protection zone typically covers at least 3 km around the outbreak; the surveillance zone extends the ring to at least 10 km from the outbreak. Actual boundaries may be larger if the DVO considers it necessary due to terrain, farm density, wind direction or transport routes. Always check the current decision or the GIW map, as boundaries are set individually for each outbreak.
How to check whether your farm is in a zone
The Chief Veterinary Inspectorate (GIW) publishes the current zone map at wetgiw.gov.pl. DlaFerm.pl provides an HPAI map at /mapa/hpai — it shows active outbreaks and approximate zone extents. Each outbreak decision specifies the exact communes or land parcel numbers covered — if in doubt, contact the District Veterinary Inspectorate responsible for your farm.
Strictest restrictions — what is prohibited and what you must do
Prohibition on moving poultry and eggs
Live poultry, day-old chicks and hatching eggs cannot leave the holding without DVO authorisation. This covers all bird species kept on the farm.
Prohibition on introducing new poultry
No new birds may be placed into poultry houses while the zone is in force. This applies to purchases as well as moving poultry from other buildings.
Obligation to register and report flock status
The farmer must immediately compile and submit to the DVO a flock inventory by species, production category and head count. Any changes — mortalities or slaughter — must be reported without delay.
Enhanced biosecurity and restricted entry
In the protection zone, disinfection mats, protective clothing and footwear changes are required at every entry to the poultry house. Entry should be limited to the essential minimum, and every visit must be recorded in the entry log.
Prohibition on markets and gatherings of birds
No markets, exhibitions or other gatherings of poultry or captive wild birds may take place within the protection zone.
Obligation to keep and feed birds indoors only
All poultry must be kept inside buildings. Feed and water are provided exclusively indoors — outdoor feeding that could attract wild birds is not permitted.
Additional monitoring and movement restrictions
Registration and reporting of flock status
Every keeper in the surveillance zone must notify the DVO of the number of birds kept, by species and production category. This applies to commercial farms and backyard flocks alike.
Restricted movement of poultry and products
Moving live poultry, hatching eggs and poultry meat is only permitted with DVO authorisation or under the specific conditions set out in the zone decision.
Prohibition on markets and gatherings
As in the protection zone, markets and exhibitions of poultry are prohibited throughout the surveillance zone for the duration of the restrictions.
Intensified monitoring and veterinary inspections
The DVO carries out active monitoring of flocks in the surveillance zone — clinical inspections and laboratory sampling. Farmers must allow inspections and provide documentation.
Biosecurity at protection-zone level
Requirements for disinfection, restricted entry, indoor-only feeding and maintaining an entry log apply with the same rigour as in the protection zone — the rules are not relaxed.
Prompt reporting of clinical signs
Any increased mortality, sudden drop in egg production or other signs suggesting disease must be reported to the district veterinary officer without delay. Delay may result in legal liability.
Frequently asked questions about HPAI zones
How do I know whether my farm is in a zone?add
The District Veterinary Officer issues a decision and notifies farmers in the zone. The current zone map is published by GIW at wetgiw.gov.pl and is also available on our HPAI map at /mapa/hpai. If in doubt, call your District Veterinary Inspectorate.
Is the protection zone the same as the HPAI outbreak?add
No. The outbreak is the specific holding where infection was confirmed. The protection zone is the area established around the outbreak (approximately at least 3 km), where the strictest restrictions apply to all farmers — even if their flock is healthy.
How long do the zones last?add
The duration depends on disease progression and test results. The protection zone is maintained for at least 21 days from the completion of initial eradication measures; the surveillance zone for at least 30 days. The DVO may extend the zones if the epidemiological situation requires it.
Can I send poultry to slaughter while in the protection zone?add
Only with individual DVO authorisation and under strict transport and disinfection conditions. Every movement of poultry out of the protection zone requires a separate decision and must take place under veterinary supervision. Transport without such authorisation is prohibited.
What are the penalties for not following zone orders?add
Failure to comply with DVO orders can result in administrative and criminal sanctions. In the most serious cases — including obstructing veterinary inspections — penalties may follow under the Polish Animal Health Protection Act.
Does DlaFerm.pl help monitor zones and biosecurity?add
Yes. The HPAI map on DlaFerm.pl shows current outbreaks and approximate zones. The app also runs a QR entry log that proves you are meeting biosecurity requirements in the zone if inspectors ask.
Sources & resources
- linkChief Veterinary Inspectorate — Avian influenza (wetgiw.gov.pl)
- linkMinistry of Agriculture and Rural Development — Avian flu information (gov.pl)
- linkCommission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687 — disease control measures (EUR-Lex)
- linkEFSA — Avian influenza overview (efsa.europa.eu)
- linkDlaFerm.pl — HPAI map (current outbreaks and zones)
Questions about biosecurity? DlaFerm.pl
Write to us — we will help you check whether your farm meets the zone requirements.
Phone
+48 796 258 151