Minister Heydon advises the public and poultry farmers to be aware of the risks of avian influenza from wild sea birds, particularly along the west coast
- Foilsithe: 27 Meitheamh 2025
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 27 Meitheamh 2025
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, TD, has commented on recent detections of avian influenza in wild sea birds.
Minister Heydon said:
“In the past three weeks, there have been a number of reports of groups of dead wild sea birds washing up on shorelines in counties Kerry, Clare and Galway. In two instances, a wild sea bird which washed up on a beach tested positive for H5N1 avian influenza virus, with one case in Kerry and one in Galway.”
The Minister reiterated the importance of taking precautions to protect public health:
“I have a clear message for the public, especially for those who may encounter dead birds on beaches this summer: Do not touch or pick up dead wild birds.”
The Minister also reminded dog owners to:
“Keep pet dogs on a leash in areas where there are sick or dead wild birds”.
Addressing poultry farmers in counties Kerry, Clare and Galway, the Minister said:
“All flock owners in these coastal areas, whether they have commercial farms or a few backyard hens, should implement stringent biosecurity measures to mitigate the risk of the disease spreading to their flocks. Strict biosecurity remains the single most important disease prevention measure. Report any suspicions of avian influenza to your local Regional Veterinary Office without delay.”
Referring to the reports received from members of the public via the Department’s Avian Check app, the Minister said:
“I want to thank all those who have taken the time to submit a report to my Department about sightings of dead wild birds. This is citizen science in action to protect public and animal health.”
The HSE-HPSC has advised that the risk to public health from the strain of avian influenza currently circulating (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza subtype H5N1) is considered low for the general public, and low to medium for occupationally exposed people.
Notes to Editors
Advice for members of the public:
- Do not touch sick or dead wild birds.
- Do not touch wild bird feathers or droppings.
- Avoid contact with surfaces contaminated with wild bird droppings.
- Maintain good hand hygiene practices.
- If you are travelling from an area known or suspected to be affected with avian influenza or where wild birds have been found dead, do not make contact with poultry or captive birds without prior cleaning and disinfection of clothing and footwear and do not bring sick wild birds’ home, particularly if you own or work with poultry or other captive birds.
- Where handling sick or dead wild birds is unavoidable, you must wear gloves. Dispose of your gloves appropriately. If you do not have immediate access to a bin they should be placed inside a plastic bag and brought with you. Wash your hands and arms with hot soapy water afterwards.
- Keep pet dogs on a leash in areas where there are sick or dead wild birds.
How to report sightings of sick or dead wild birds:
If you find a sick or dead wild bird which is included on the List of Target Species for Avian Influenza Surveillance, you can report it using the Avian Influenza Wild Bird reporting App (AvianCheck). Even where birds are not collected, reports of dead wild birds is important and useful to understand the disease situation in wild bird populations and to inform stakeholders of avian influenza risks. The AvianCheck App may be accessed via smart phones, tablets, PCs and laptops.
Further information and guidance is available at www.gov.ie/birdflu