Case of bird flu confirmed in Republic of Ireland
Disease control restriction zones have been put in place around a commercial premises in the Republic of Ireland (ROI) after a case of HPAI H5N1, a type of avian influenza, was reported.
Authorities have also announced the introduction of a housing order across ROI whereby all poultry and captive birds must now be kept in secure housing or otherwise separate from wild birds.
The Minister of Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs, Edwin Poots, confirmed that the variant had been found in over 100 wild birds across Great Britain with 12 HPAI H5N1 confirmations in premises.
He said: “While there have been no confirmed cases in Northern Ireland during this current outbreak my officials have thoroughly investigated and negated six suspect cases. It is therefore imperative that the poultry industry, and indeed all bird keepers in Northern Ireland, take all possible measures to ensure our national flock is protected from this dreadful disease.”
Taking precautions
Chief veterinary officer for Northern Ireland Dr Robert Huey added: “All flock keepers must take action now to review and, where necessary, improve biosecurity in order to prevent an incursion of the disease into our poultry flock. If avian influenza were to enter our Northern Ireland flock, it would have a devastating impact on our poultry industry, international trade and the wider economy. In addition, the negative financial and emotional impact on the individual farm family and business is something we have seen all too often with disease incursions and we must do everything we can to avoid this, particularly at this time of heightened risk.”
Huey continued: “Officials will continue to work closely with poultry keepers and the wider industry as we seek to progress all possible measures to mitigate against further avian influenza confirmations, and in considering next steps, including any possible introduction of a housing order here.”
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for Northern Ireland (DAERA) has reminded the public that avian influenza is a notifiable disease. Anyone who suspects an animal may be affected by a notifiable disease must, by law, report it to their local DAERA Direct Office.
A new avian influenza prevention zone has been declared in parts of North Yorkshire, namely the districts of Harrogate, Hambleton and Richmondshire. In recent days, cases of H5N1 have also been confirmed at premises in Norfolk, North Yorkshire, Essex, Cheshire West, Chester and Cumbria.
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