Press release
Department Issues Housing Notice for Birds as a Precautionary Measure Against Avian Influenza
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine today announced that Minister Charlie McConalogue TD has made regulations under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 requiring flock keepers to confine all poultry and captive birds in their possession or under their control in a secure building to which wild birds, or other animals do not have access and to apply particular bio-security measures. The Regulations, entitled Avian Influenza (Precautionary Confinement of Birds) Regulations 2020, provide for precautionary measures, against avian influenza (bird flu) and come into force on 21 December.
These measures are being taken against a background where an outbreak of Avian Influenza H5N8 has been confirmed in a small turkey flock in Co Wicklow and in wild birds in a number of areas across the country.
These findings highlight the increasing risk to all poultry flocks and captive birds and by extension the poultry industry.
Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have also been identified in poultry flocks in Great Britain and other European countries in recent weeks. It is important to note that there is no evidence of risk associated with consumption of poultry meat or poultry meat products.
The department had previously introduced regulations on 1 December making it mandatory for all keepers of poultry and captive birds to adopt enhanced biosecurity measures and a ban on the arranging bird gatherings.
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 worldwide and, therefore, the risk to humans is 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 200 456. 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.
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 Veterinary Office.
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 reinforces the need for vigilance and biosecurity and continues to closely monitor and assess the disease situation and is in regular contact with industry stakeholders.
ENDS
1. The Statutory Instrument is entitled Avian Influenza (Precautionary confinement of birds) Regulations 2020
2. Avian Influenza H5N8 has been identified in wild birds 10 wild birds in counties Cork, Kildare, Limerick, Mayo, Monaghan, Wexford and Wicklow. Indicating that the disease is circulating in the wild bird population across the country.
3. A protection zone (PZ) of at least 3km radius from the infected holding and a surveillance zone (SZ) of at least 10km radius has been put in place. A census of all holdings within the PZ and SZ is being conducted and procedures put in place to control movements of live poultry, other captive birds, hatching and table eggs, used litter, manure and slurry from poultry holdings. There is no requirement to control the movement of poultry feed under Directive 2005/94, except to “suspect” or “infected” premises. However, biosecurity measures apply to the movement of feed delivery vehicles between poultry farms in the HPRZ
4. Further information on avian influenza can be found at
5. Clinical signs that poultry keepers should look for in their birds include a swollen head, discolouration of neck and throat, loss of appetite, respiratory distress, diarrhoea and fewer eggs laid – although these vary between species of bird.
6. If you suspect disease in your own flock, notify the nearest Regional Veterinary Office or ring the Avian Influenza Helpline: 076 106 4403 (Outside of Office hours: 1850 200 456).
7. If you find dead wild birds such as wild ducks, wild geese, swans, gulls or birds of prey, do not handle the birds. Report the findings to the department as above.
8. A list of Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine offices and their contact details is available at: www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/contact/
9. The Statutory Instruments introduced on 1 December are entitled Avian Influenza (Biosecurity measures) Regulations 2020 and Avian Influenza (Restriction on Assembly of Live Birds) Regulations 2020.