Bruising under skin a telltale sign of bird flu, top vet says
The Department of Agriculture is not currently considering a vaccine for poultry against bird flu.
Flock owners are advised subcutaneous haemorrhaging is a common symptom among all confirmed cases of bird flu so far.
In a webinar on the current highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 outbreaks in the country, it was revealed haemorrhaging under the skin has been a common symptom across the board with all confirmed cases of the virus.
This haemorrhaging will appear as blue discolouration or have a likeness to bruising in birds, showcased in a post-mortem exam or on exposed areas of skin on birds.
Other symptoms of HPAI in poultry include sudden mortality, a drop in egg production or a change in shell composition, a drop in water and feed intake, respiratory symptoms, diarrhoea, neurological signs, or behavioural changes, particularly the sudden inactivity of birds.
The virus strain currently circulating is considered low risk to public health by the HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre and the European Centre for Disease Control.
The public has also been advised the disease poses no food safety risk to consumers of well-cooked poultry products and eggs.
The webinar featured presentations from the clinical director of St David's poultry team Dr Aonghus Lane, and senior veterinary inspector with the Department of Agriculture Alan Johnson.
Dr Lane, speaking to attendees, stressed the need for strict biosecurity to be exercised by all bird owners. He warned bird owners this strain of HPAI needed only a low dose to infect a bird and is highly contagious.
Dr Lane said the virus reportedly had an ‘R number’ — which refers to a rating of how well a disease can spread — of 14 to 16. This meant that on average, for every bird infected with the virus, 14 to 16 birds could become infected as a result.
With weather conditions making it ideal for the disease to persist for a prolonged period, and outbreaks occurring in the North, Mr Johnson warned bird owners: “The risk of incursion of avian influenza in Ireland has risen.”
He reminded bird owners to thoroughly clean and scrub footwear before disinfecting, and any vehicles that have to enter a poultry site should be first power-washed thoroughly and then disinfected before entering the bio-secure area.
Taking questions from attendees, a farmer asked whether a vaccine for bird flu would be offered. Although vaccines are available in other countries, Mr Johnson said the department was not currently considering the use of vaccines in Ireland.
