Northern Ireland's Chief Vet Brian Dooher has reminded all bird
keepers of the critical importance of maintaining high
biosecurity standards due to the increasing threat of avian
influenza.
His warning comes as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)
H5N1 has been confirmed in a dead wild bird in County Galway.
This is the first confirmed case of HPAI in a wild bird on the
island of Ireland since September 2023.
Mr Brian Dooher said: “The recent detection of HPAI H5N1 in a
wild buzzard in Galway demonstrates that the virus is present in
wild birds on the island of Ireland. This finding highlights the
importance of maintaining high standards of biosecurity to
protect the poultry industry in Northern Ireland from the threat
of avian influenza.
“I would reiterate my earlier warning that owners of poultry,
game or pet birds should act now to ensure their biosecurity
measures are sufficient to reduce the risk of disease to your
flocks. A biosecurity checklist is
available on the DAERA website. All birdkeepers should
familiarise themselves with this checklist and continually review
the measures they take to protect themselves from an avian
influenza incursion.
“Avian influenza has the potential to have a devastating effect
on the poultry industry and would significantly impact
international trade. I am calling on all flock keepers,
including backyard or hobby flocks, to remain vigilant and to act
today to reduce the risk to their flocks.”
The risk of a notifiable avian influenza incursion into a poultry
flock in Northern Ireland reduces to very low where biosecurity
standards are high.
Detailed information on how to improve biosecurity can be found
on the DAERA Avian Influenza Hub.
Continual high standards of biosecurity on all poultry premises
is the most effective tool in protecting Northern Ireland against
this disease.
Some simple measures flock keepers can take to protect their
birds against the threat of avian flu are as follows:
- Keeping the area where birds live clean and tidy, controlling
rats and mice and regularly disinfecting any hard surfaces
- Cleaning footwear before and after visits
- Placing bird feed and water in fully enclosed areas that are
protected from wild birds, and removing any spilled feed
regularly
- Putting fencing around outdoor areas where birds are allowed
and limiting their access to ponds or areas visited by wild
waterfowl
- Where possible, avoid keeping ducks and geese with other
poultry species.
If you find dead waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or other dead
wild birds, such as gulls or birds of prey, these should be
reported using the DAERA Dead Wild Bird Online
Reporting Tool.
Notes to editors:
- Avian Influenza is a notifiable disease. Anyone who suspects
an animal may be affected by a notifiable disease must report it
to their local Divisional Veterinary Office. Contact details can
be found on the DAERA website.
- All poultry and other birds must be registered with DAERA.
The application form is available on the DAERA website.
- The ongoing Veterinary Risk Assessment (VRA) was updated in
September 2024 by Departmental veterinary colleagues. This is
available to view on the DAERA website.
- More information about Avian Influenza - including
biosecurity guidance - is available from the DAERA website.
- Members of the public are encouraged to report findings of
dead waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or other dead wild birds,
such as gulls or birds of prey, using the DAERA Dead Wild Bird Online
Reporting Tool.
