The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs has introduced disease control measures following initial confirmation of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 in samples collected from captive birds at Castle Espie, Strangford Lough.
DAERA Minister Edwin Poots has said: “To date there have been over 180 cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 across the UK, since the first case confirmed in England on 26 October 2021. There have been six confirmed outbreaks in Northern Ireland over the past 12 months, the most recent in February, with a significant number of wild bird findings across the year. In addition, there have been six confirmed cases in the Republic of Ireland.
“The continual positive findings of H5N1 across Great Britain, and findings through our wild bird surveillance programme, suggest that the disease is already once again present in Northern Ireland. It is of paramount importance that all bird keepers take appropriate action to review and enhance their biosecurity measures to protect their birds from this highly infectious disease.
Chief Veterinary Officer for NI, Dr Robert Huey, added: “All flock keepers must take action now to review and, where necessary, improve biosecurity in order to prevent an incursion of the disease into our poultry flock. If Avian Influenza were to enter our Northern Ireland commercial flock, it would have a significant and devastating impact on our poultry industry, international trade and the wider economy.