A case of avian influenza (bird flu) in England has been confirmed by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
The disease was detected in commercial poultry and is the first confirmed case of 2024 in England.
Chief veterinary officer Robert Huey said the risk remains “a real and constant threat” as the disease continues to circulate across Great Britain and Europe.
“The confirmation of this first case of the year in England, is a stark reminder that all bird keepers must remain vigilant and continue to practice high standards of biosecurity.
“Effective biosecurity measures are vital in protecting Northern Ireland’s poultry flock from this disease,” Huey said.
He reminded all bird owners, included those who keep caged pet birds that they are legally required to register and keep their details up to date on the DAERA Bird Register.
Bird flu recommendations
“Bird registration forms are available from the DAERA website or by contacting your local DAERA Direct Regional Office.
“Bird keepers who have not yet registered their birds should do so immediately”, Huey said.
“The risk of a notifiable avian influenza incursion into the Northern Ireland poultry flock is moderate with high uncertainty, with biosecurity continuing to play a key role in the risk posed to each individual flock,” he said.
To continue to protect birds from the virus, DAERA recommends the following guidelines:
- Change into clean footwear before tending to your birds;
- Store feed and bedding undercover;
- Control rodents and clean up spilled feed;
- Regularly clean and disinfect hard surfaces with a government approved disinfectant;
- Maintain your birds’ housing to keep water and wild birds out;
- Discourage wild birds from the area you keep your birds.
DAERA has encouraged all bird keepers to sign up to the text alert service.
This will allows farmers to receive immediate notification of any important disease information, allowing them to protect flocks at the earliest opportunity.
