High alert as bird flu detected on farm in the North
DAERA, Northern Ireland's Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, confirmed that around 20,000 birds had been culled as a result of the outbreak in Omagh.
Flock keepers in the Republic of Ireland have been urged to implement the “highest standards of biosecurity” after a suspected outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza was detected in a large poultry flock in Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland.
The North’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs confirmed that around 20,000 birds had been culled as a result of the outbreak in Omagh.
“As we enter into the winter months, the risk of avian influenza becomes higher,” said agriculture minister Martin Heydon.
“My message for anybody who has poultry or kept birds is clear: Please take strict precautions and exercise the highest standards of biosecurity to protect your flocks from the threat of avian influenza, and to protect the poultry sector in Ireland.
“We know that this virus has been found this year in wild birds across Ireland. Biosecurity is the single most effective way to prevent the virus spreading from wild birds into poultry.
“My department is in regular and close communication with their counterparts in Northern Ireland, and is keeping this situation under ongoing review.”
The minister emphasised the need for all those with poultry to register their flocks with the department, whether they are commercial farmers or those who have just one or two backyard hens. He said:
This year, 41 cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been detected in wild birds in locations across Ireland, all but one of which were H5N1. A single outbreak of H5N1 occurred in a very small captive bird flock in Co Donegal in July.
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 their regional veterinary office or, if outside business hours, to contact the National Disease Emergency Hotline on 01 492 8026.
