11 February 2025

‘Highest standards of biosecurity needed’ due to avian flu risk

Following the confirmation of a case of avian influenza in a small captive flock in Co. Derry, Northern Ireland, poultry keepers have been encouraged to implement the highest standards of biosecurity to protect their flocks and the poultry sector in Ireland.

This message came from the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon who last week urged poultry keepers to “take strict precautions and exercise the highest standards of biosecurity to protect your flocks from the threat of avian influenza”.

“We know that this virus is present in wild birds in Ireland. Biosecurity is the single most effective way to prevent the virus spreading from wild birds into poultry,” Minister Heydon said.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) also reminded poultry keepers that strict new biosecurity regulations for poultry were introduced on 6 December 2024 (SI 666/2024, the Avian Influenza (Biosecurity measures) Regulations) in response to the increased risk posed to Irish poultry flocks by the presence of avian influenza virus in wild birds in Ireland. These cases include one in Co. Galway in early December, one in Co Dublin in later December, one in Co Donegal in mid-January, and one each in Co. Westmeath and Co. Wexford in late January.

Additionally, DAFM has also advised members of the public 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. It is also closely monitoring and assessing the disease situation and is in regular contact with industry stakeholders and counterparts in Northern Ireland.

 Further information, including a detailed technical update, is available from DAFM here.