Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue has warned of the increased risk to poultry flocks of an avian influenza (bird flu) incursion.
There have been numerous bird flu outbreaks in poultry flocks across Europe in recent weeks which have been caused by the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of the virus, the minister said.
In addition to these outbreaks, there have been a number of cases of the H5N5 bird flu virus detected in wild birds in Great Britain this autumn, Minister McConalogue said.
“While we have not detected any such cases in Irish poultry or wild birds this year, the risk is now increasing,” the minister said in a warning issued today (Friday, November 1).
“This is because wild birds are now migrating for the winter, while the colder temperatures and shorter daylight hours mean any avian influenza virus spread into the environment by infected wild birds can survive for longer,” he said.
Bird flu
“Poultry farmers and those with captive birds can take action to reduce the risk of their flocks becoming infected, and to protect the Irish poultry industry. Strict biosecurity is the single most important way to do this,” the minister said.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) produced a biosecurity code of practice for poultry in conjunction with stakeholders, where people can find practical steps and guidelines on how to implement biosecurity measures which is available online.
Poultry flock owners and those keeping captive birds should remain vigilant for any signs of disease in their flocks, maintain the highest biosecurity measures, and report any disease suspicion, without delay, to their nearest DAFM regional veterinary office.
Members of the public who may encounter sick or dead wild birds are advised not to handle them and to report them to the regional veterinary office or notify the DAFM through its Avian Influenza Wild Bird reporting App (AvianCheck).
An early warning system is in place with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) with regard to surveillance for signs of disease in wild birds, according to the DAFM.