DAERA calls for ‘vigilance’ as avian flu circulates
Cases have been confirmed in Somerset, Norfolk and County Donegal.
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is urging vigilance among poultry and bird keepers, as avian influenza continues to circulate.
The calls come after Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in a backyard flock in County Donegal, as well as six locations in England – including Somerset, Devon and Norfolk.
Previous weeks have seen multiple cases of avian influenza detected in wild birds. Cases are particularly common in the coastal regions of Ireland and Great Britain.
A case has also been reported in a wild bird found in County Down.
Detections of HPAI H5N1 have been reported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) in Ireland and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
DAERA says the findings show a persistent and serious threat to both commercial and backyard flocks. All bird keepers, regardless of the size or the type of flock, should take the necessary steps to minimise the risk of infection.
It particularly emphasises the importance of strict biosecurity to prevent the introduction and spread of disease.
DAERA says that biosecurity is the most effective defence against avian influenza. Bird keepers are directed to the Biosecurity Checklist and Biosecurity Guidance documents on the DAERA websites.
Bird keepers are also reminded that, unless they keep their pet birds exclusively within their home, they are legally required to register their birds. Dead wild birds can also be reported using DAERA’s online reporting tool.
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Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
