The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is urging all bird keepers in Northern Ireland to prepare for the increasing threat of avian flu this winter, as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N5, otherwise known as bird flu, is confirmed in England.
On Tuesday, November 5, the UK chief veterinary officer (CVO) confirmed HPAI H5N5 in a commercial poultry unit near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, Yorkshire.
This is the first confirmed case of avian influenza in kept poultry in Great Britain since February 2024.
A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have subsequently been established around the affected premises and all poultry in residence have been humanely culled.
Speaking about the incidence, the CVO for Northern Ireland, Brian Dooher said: “The risk of avian flu remains a real and constant threat as the disease continues to circulate.
“Given the positive wild bird findings at various locations across Great Britain over recent weeks, the start of winter migration, and now the first confirmed case of HPAI H5N5 in poultry in England this season, consistently high standards of biosecurity are essential.
“I encourage all owners of poultry, game or pet birds, whether you keep one bird or hundreds, to act now and carefully consider your biosecurity protection. Make improvements where possible to reduce the risk of transmission of disease to your flocks.
“If avian flu were to enter any flock, including backyard or hobby flocks, it would have a devastating effect on the poultry industry and would significantly impact international trade.”
Currently, DAERA maintains that the risk of the disease expanding to a poultry flock in Northern Ireland remains low, provided biosecurity measures preventing the spread of infection, are upheld to the highest standards.
However, this risk increases to a moderate level where biosecurity is suboptimal, therefore DAERA is seeking farmers to be vigilant and exacting when it comes to disease prevention and control.
DAERA recommend simple measures to be undertaken by farmers to mitigate the risk of infection, which include:
- Keeping the area where birds live clean and tidy, controlling rats and mice and regularly disinfecting any hard surfaces;
- Cleaning footwear before and after visits;
- Placing birds’ feed and water in fully enclosed areas that are protected from wild birds, and removing any spilled feed regularly
- Putting fencing around outdoor areas where birds are allowed and limiting their access to ponds or areas visited by wild waterfowl;
- Where possible, avoid keeping ducks and geese with other poultry species.
“All bird keepers, except those who keep caged pet birds in their home, are legally required to register and keep their details up to date on the DAERA Bird Register. Bird keepers who have not yet registered their birds should do so immediately.
“This information is vital to help the Department deal effectively with a disease outbreak and to provide advice to keepers on the measures required to protect their birds.
“Bird registration forms are available from the DAERA website or by contacting your local DAERA Direct Regional Office,” Dooher added.
DAERA encourages all bird holders to sign up to a text alert service, which will permit immediate notification of all important disease updates, affording farmers the most time to react to news.
The department also urges farmers to complete a Biosecurity Checklist to mitigate the risk of infection which can be found on the department’s website.
If birds look unwell, or appear to show sign of illness, DAERA urges farmers to call their local vet immediately, or to contact DAERA’s helpline.
