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RTÉ News
27-06-2025
- 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
29-04-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
Poultry order issued over bird flu risk to be lifted
The Department of Agriculture has announced it is lifting the compulsory housing order for poultry and captive birds that was in place due to the risk of avian influenza, or bird flu. The order was introduced in February due to the heightened risk of bird flu. The housing order will be revoked on 10 May. While no outbreaks of a highly infectious bird flu strain have been detected in poultry in Ireland last year or this year, there were three outbreaks on commercial poultry farms in the North and one in captive birds there. 19 wild birds tested positive for bird flu in Ireland during the first three months of the year. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon said that "the risk of avian influenza to our poultry is no longer as high as it had been in recent months, so it is now appropriate to lift the housing order and prohibition on the assembly of live birds. He said: "I want to acknowledge the hard work and cooperation from the Irish poultry industry in recent months, with farmers, vets, processors and others all working together to reduce the chances of an outbreak which could have had such serious consequences. "It is important to note that avian influenza is still a risk and will remain a threat to Irish poultry for the foreseeable future." Despite the lifting of the housing order, strict biosecurity regulations for poultry farms that were introduced last December remain in place. Members of the public are advised not to handle sick or dead wild birds and to report any such incidents 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's Avian Check App. Bird flu poses a low risk to humans and means foods such as eggs and chicken are still safe to eat, so long as they are properly cooked and prepared as normal.
