Northern Ireland Agriculture Minister, Edwin Poots, has updated his Stormont Assembly colleagues regarding the current Avian Influenza - bird flu - outbreak across the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

Speaking today (Tuesday, December 14), Minister Poots said: “As of today, 48 cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 have been confirmed across Great Britain since the first case was confirmed in England on 26 October 2021.

“In the Republic of Ireland, as of today, HPAI H5N1 has been confirmed at five commercial holdings, four in Co. Monaghan and one in Co. Cavan.

"The disease control zones for two of the cases in Co. Monaghan and the Co. Cavan case extend into Northern Ireland and my department has established corresponding disease control zones as required," Poots added.

The minister outlined that there are two confirmed cases, and two suspected cases, of HPAI H5N1 bird flu in Northern Ireland.

The location of these outbreaks are as follows; One in Aughnacloy, Co. Tyrone; one in Broughshane, Co. Antrim; one near Armagh, Co. Armagh; and the fourth case outside Coagh, Co. Tyrone.

“Furthermore, as of today, my department has confirmed cases of HPAI H5N1 in 10 wild birds across Northern Ireland. These have been at The Water Works Belfast; West Belfast Lough; Monlough Lake; Hillsborough; and the Loughshore Portadown.

“As a result of the wild bird HPAI H5N1 findings in Northern Ireland, it is clear that the native wild bird population has been affected by the strain being carried here by migratory birds. Evidence is strong that HPAI is now widespread in the environment," he added.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) does not currently need to test wild birds for surveillance purposes, and therefore officials have taken the decision this week to cease all collection of wild birds with immediate effect. 

“My department’s primary function is the control of avian influenza in poultry flocks and is not involved in control of the disease in wild species," Minister Poots said.

The minster has urged all flock keepers to play their part in combating the disease.

“You cannot afford to be complacent, you must act now. It is of paramount importance, that the utmost, stringent biosecurity measures are adopted on your premises and that all poultry, including their food and water is kept separate from wild birds."  

There is biosecurity advice and guidance, including a biosecurity checklist available on the avian influenza webpage of the DAERA website.

“I urge every bird keeper in Northern Ireland to consider this checklist regularly and assure themselves they can tick every box. If even one box remains unticked there is a gap in your biosecurity and this virus will find those gaps with devastating consequences," Minister Poots added.

"However, it is imperative that we all play our part and take action now to ensure the highest biosecurity possible, that birds are housed and that we all remain vigilant to this terrible disease.”