Bird flu: Heydon stresses biosecurity after case in Derry
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon has emphasised the need for all those with poultry and kept birds to implement the highest standards of biosecurity to protect their flocks from avian influenza (bird flu).
The minister made his comments after a case of bird flu was detected in a small captive bird flock in Co. Derry.
Northern Ireland's Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has introduced a 3km captive bird temporary control zone (CBTCZ) around a nature reserve outside Magherafelt due to a confirmed case of bird flu.
“My message for anybody who has poultry or kept birds is clear: Please take strict precautions and exercise the highest standards of biosecurity to protect your flocks from the threat of avian influenza, and to protect the poultry sector in Ireland," Minister Heydon said.
“We know that this virus is present in wild birds in Ireland. Biosecurity is the single most effective way to prevent the virus spreading from wild birds into poultry.
“I want to express my support for the poultry farmers and...officials in Northern Ireland who are dealing with this case of avian influenza and working hard to protect their poultry industry," he added.
The minister said his officials are in "regular and close communication" with their counterparts in Northern Ireland, and that the officials are keeping the situation under ongoing review.
Strict new biosecurity regulations for poultry were introduced on December 2024 in response to the increased risk posed to Irish poultry flocks by the presence of avian influenza virus in wild birds in Ireland.
Since early December, there have been five detections of avian influenza infection in wild birds in Ireland: one in Co. Galway in early December; one in Co. Dublin in later December; one in Co. Donegal in mid-January, and one each in Co. Westmeath and Co. Wexford in late January.
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.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine said it continues to closely monitor and assess the disease situation and is in regular contact with industry stakeholders and counterparts in Northern Ireland.
