The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland is urging the poultry sector to be prepared for the threat of avian flu (bird flu) this winter.

The warning coincides with the high-risk period for the notifiable disease as wild birds begin their migration season.

The chief veterinary officer (CVO) for Northern Ireland, Dr. Robert Huey said that high biosecurity standards for all poultry keeps are vital as bird flu is circulating across Britain and Europe.

“Given the positive wild bird findings across various locations in Northern Ireland over recent months, and the start of winter migration, consistently high standards of biosecurity are essential," he said.

Dr. Huey urged all poultry keepers, including game birds and pet birds, regardless of whether they keep one bird or hundreds, to improve biosecurity where possible to reduce the risk of disease transmission.

“If avian flu were to enter any flock, including backyard or hobby flocks, it would have a devastating effect on the poultry industry and would significantly impact international trade," he said.

The risk of a bird flu incursion into the Northern Ireland poultry flock is "moderate with high uncertainty".

DAERA suggested the following measures flock keepers can take to protect their birds against the threat of bird flu:

Keeping the area where birds live clean and tidy, controlling rats and mice and regularly disinfecting any hard surfaces;
Cleaning footwear before and after visits;
Placing birds’ feed and water in fully enclosed areas that are protected from wild birds, and removing any spilled feed regularly;
Putting fencing around outdoor areas where birds are allowed and limiting their access to ponds or areas visited by wild waterfowl;
Where possible, avoid keeping ducks and geese with other poultry species.

All bird keepers, except those who keep caged pet birds in their home, are legally required to register and keep their details up to date on the DAERA Bird Register.

"This information is vital to help the department deal effectively with a disease outbreak and to provide advice to keepers on the measures required to protect their birds," Dr. Huey said.

Bird registration forms are available from the DAERA website or by contacting a local DAERA Direct Regional Office.

All bird keepers who register and who provide the department with a valid mobile number are automatically subscribed to a text alert service which provides disease updates.