Bird flu precautions introduced as cases are reported in Offaly

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has announced the introduction of regulations requiring flock keepers to apply particular bio-security measures for poultry and other captive birds as a precautionary measure against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), as well as a ban on the assembly of birds.

These precautionary measures against avian influenza (bird flu) came into effect on Wednesday

This initiative is being taken following confirmation of HPAI H5N1 in wild birds in a number of counties, including in Offaly, since early November. These wild bird findings confirm that the avian influenza virus is currently circulating widely in the wild bird population in Ireland.

The department says that this reservoir of infection in wildlife poses a risk to poultry flocks and the poultry industry. It said here have not been any outbreaks in poultry flocks at this time.

These regulations require specific biosecurity measures to be implemented by the keepers of all poultry (and other captive bird) flocks, irrespective of size, to help mitigate the risk of infection of their poultry from the virus and the implementation of additional enhanced biosecurity measures by flock-owners in respect of flocks of 500 birds or more.

Since October the HPAI H5N1 subtype has been responsible for disease in wild birds and outbreaks in poultry and captive birds in a number of EU member States and Great Britain. No cases have been identified in Northern Ireland to date.

Poultry flock owners should remain vigilant for any signs of disease in their flocks, maintain strict biosecurity measures and report any disease suspicion to their nearest Department Regional Veterinary Office, even if they only have one or two birds.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has confirmed that although the HPAI H5N1 subtype can cause serious disease in poultry and other birds, no human infections with this virus have been reported in Europe and therefore risk to humans is considered to be very low. Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs are safe to eat.

Members of the public are advised not to handle sick or dead wild birds and to report any episodes of sick or dead wild birds to the Regional Veterinary Office or contact the DAFM disease hotline on 1850 200456.

Avian Influenza H5N1 has been identified in wild birds in Galway, Donegal, Kerry, Roscommon and Offaly.

Last week, the department indicated that wild birds in Donegal and Offaly had been confirmed positive for H5N1, including both mute swans and whooper swans and wild geese.