ALERT: Poultry flock owners urged to be vigilant as new case of bird flu is confirmed

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has confirmed that regulations requiring poultry flock keepers to apply particular biosecurity measures will come into effect from midnight.

The regulations are being introduced as a precautionary measure to help prevent outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).

It follows the detection earlier this week of H5N1 avian influenza virus in a wild buzzard in County Galway which, the Department says, 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," read a statement, issued this Thursday evening.

"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," it added. 

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The Department says 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."

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 Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine disease helpline on 01 492 8026.