The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine introduces enhanced biosecurity measures as a precaution against Avian Influenza

THE Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine today announced the introduction of regulations under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 requiring flock keepers to apply particular bio-security measures for poultry and other captive birds as a precautionary measure against Avian Influenza, as well as a ban on the assembly of birds. These Regulations provide for precautionary measures against avian influenza (bird flu).

These measures are being taken in light of the confirmation of Avian Influenza H5N8 in wild birds in a number of counties since early November. These wild bird findings confirm that the avian influenza virus is currently circulating in the wild bird population in Ireland. This poses a risk to our poultry flocks and industry. 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 the virus and additional enhanced biosecurity measures that must be implemented in flocks of 500 birds or more.

The H5N8 subtype of avian influenza has been responsible for outbreaks of disease in wild birds and poultry in a number of Member States and Great Britain since late October. There have also been reported cases of positive wild birds in Northern Ireland, where similar measures are also being introduced. The Department maintains close contact with our counterparts in the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in evaluating and managing the risk of avian influenza on the island.

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.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has confirmed that although the H5N8 subtype can cause serious disease in poultry and other birds, no human infections with this virus have been reported world-wide and therefore risk to humans is considered to be very low. However, members of the public are advised not to handle sick or dead wild birds and to report sick of dead wild birds to the Regional Veterinary Office or contact the DAFM disease hotline on 1850 200456. An early warning system is in place with Birdwatch Ireland, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the National Association of Regional Game Councils with regard to surveillance for signs of disease in wild birds.

The Department continues to closely monitor and assess the disease situation and is in regular contact with industry stakeholders.