Press release
Enhanced poultry biosecurity measures to help prevent outbreaks of avian influenza
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine today announced the introduction of new regulations requiring flock keepers to apply particular biosecurity measures for poultry and other captive birds as a precautionary measure to help prevent outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). These measures to reduce the risk of avian influenza (bird flu) come into effect on Friday, 6 December 2024.
The detection this week of H5N1 avian influenza virus in a wild bird (buzzard) from Co. Galway highlights the level of risk to Irish poultry. In recent months, there have been outbreaks of avian influenza in poultry in many countries across Europe, with two cases in poultry in England in the past few weeks. There have also been many incidents of avian influenza virus being detected in wild birds in European countries. Infected wild birds have been reported along the coasts of northern France, western Great Britain, Norway and Iceland, emphasising the ongoing risk to Ireland. As we enter the winter period, the risk of avian influenza to Irish poultry has increased substantially. This is because of more wild birds migrating here, and the increased survival of the virus at cold temperatures.
The most effective way to prevent an outbreak of avian influenza in poultry is strict biosecurity. This means taking all steps necessary to prevent any virus in the environment which may have been shed by infected wild birds from being brought into contact with poultry or kept birds. This regulation now requires keepers of poultry and wild birds to implement these biosecurity measures, which will protect their flocks, their livelihoods and the wider poultry industry in Ireland. For flocks of 350 birds or more, the implementation of further enhanced biosecurity measures by flock-owners is required, appropriate to their larger holdings.
All 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.
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 helpline on 014928026. The department continues to closely monitor and assess the disease situation and is in regular contact with industry stakeholders.
The Statutory Instruments are entitled Avian Influenza (Biosecurity measures) Regulations 2024, SI 666 of 2024.
Further information on avian influenza can be found here: gov.ie - Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) (www.gov.ie).
Clinical signs that poultry keepers should look for in their birds include a swollen head, discolouration of neck and throat, loss of appetite, respiratory distress, diarrhoea and fewer eggs laid – although these vary between species of bird.
If you suspect disease in your own flock, notify the nearest Regional Veterinary Office or ring the Avian Influenza Helpline: 01 607 2512 (Outside of Office hours: 01 492 8026).
If you find dead wild birds such as wild ducks, wild geese, swans, gulls or birds of prey, do not handle the birds. Report the findings to the department as above.
Where the department has sufficient epidemiological surveillance information in particular geographical areas, it will not necessarily collect dead birds for testing.