Latest news with #AvianCheck
RTÉ News
5 days ago
- Health
- RTÉ News
Warning issued after strain of avian influenza detected in wild sea birds
The Department of Agriculture has issued a warning after a strain of avian influenza - or bird flu - was detected in a number of wild sea birds off the west coast of Ireland in recent weeks. Minister for Agriculture Martin Heyden said that "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." Members of the public are advised not to touch or pick up dead wild birds and to keep pet dogs on a leash in areas where there are sick or dead wild birds. Meanwhile, poultry farmers in coastal areas of Kerry, Clare and Galway have been advised to implement stringent biosecurity measures to mitigate the risk of the disease spreading to their flocks. Farmers are also asked to report any suspicions of avian influenza to their local Regional Veterinary Office. The department also said the public can continue to report incidents of dead wild birds via its Avian Check app. The HSE and Health Protection Surveillance Centre have 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. Special biosecurity regulations for poultry were in place due to the increased risk of bird flu from last December to the end of May. No outbreaks of the high pathogenic HPAI strain were detected in commercial poultry flocks in Ireland last year or so far in 2025.
Irish Examiner
27-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Avian flu regulations are to be lifted at the end of this month
Regulations restricting poultry due to avian influenza will be lifted at the end of May 2025. Minister for Agriculture, Martin Heydon, announced that the biosecurity regulations (SI 666/2024) placed on flocks since December 6, 2024 will be lifted from May 31 for highly pathogenic avian flu (HPAI). These biosecurity measures were made mandatory in December to counter the spread of HPAI, but still remain the best everyday practices for poultry farmers and flock owners. This announcement follows the lifting of the mandatory housing order, which was implemented in February and was lifted earlier this month. Speaking on the announcement, the minister said: 'As we move into the summer, the risk of an avian influenza outbreak in our poultry is lower than it was over the colder winter months. It is appropriate now to lift the regulations which had made strict biosecurity measures compulsory to protect Irish poultry. These biosecurity actions are still best practice, and I strongly advise anyone with poultry, whether a large farm or a few backyard hens, to continue to implement them. There is still a risk, and avian influenza is expected to remain a threat to the Irish poultry sector throughout the year. Biosecurity is the single most effective way to prevent the virus spreading from wild birds into poultry, or between poultry flocks, and must be practised year-round.' The department has reported in their most recent avian influenza update that no HPAI was detected in Ireland in poultry or wild birds in the month of April 2025. The department warn flock owners that HPAI is still a major risk for flocks in Ireland and biosecurity measures still remain the number one method in preventing and controlling the spread of the disease. The Minister added: 'I want to praise the huge efforts which have been made across the poultry sector to protect our poultry industry from avian influenza and the serious consequences of an outbreak.' Pet owners are continued to be advised to keep dogs on a leash when walking where sick or dead wild birds are or have been present. Members of the public are advised not to handle sick or dead wild birds of any species. Any dead wild birds should be reported to the Regional Veterinary Office in the area or, if outside business hours, to contact the National Disease Emergency Hotline on 01 492 8026 or use the Department's Avian Check app.
RTÉ News
27-05-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
Biosecurity regulations in place over bird flu risk are lifted
Special biosecurity regulations for poultry that were in place due to the increased risk of avian influenza - or bird flu - are to be lifted. The measures were introduced last December amid a heightened risk of bird flu, and will be revoked from the end of May. Earlier this month a housing order for poultry flocks and captive birds that was also in place was revoked. No outbreaks of the high pathogenic HPAI strain were detected in commercial poultry flocks in Ireland last year or so far in 2025. However, during the first three months of this year 19 wild birds tested positive for bird flu although there were no positive cases in April. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon said: "As we move into the summer, the risk of an avian influenza outbreak in our poultry is lower than it was over the colder winter months. "It is appropriate now to lift the regulations which had made strict biosecurity measures compulsory to protect Irish poultry. "These biosecurity actions are still best practice and I strongly advise anyone with poultry, whether a large farm or a few backyard hens, to continue to implement them. "There is still a risk, and avian influenza is expected to remain a threat to the Irish poultry sector throughout the year. "Biosecurity is the single most effective way to prevent the virus spreading from wild birds into poultry, or between poultry flocks, and must be practised year-round." The Minister added: "I want to praise the huge efforts, which have been made across the poultry sector to protect our poultry industry from avian influenza and the serious consequences of an outbreak." Members of the public are advised not to handle sick or dead wild birds and to report any episodes of sick or dead wild birds to their regional veterinary office or, if outside business hours, to contact the National Disease Emergency Hotline on 01 492 8026 or use the Department of Agriculture's 'Avian Check' app.
