DAERA announce Bird Flu monitoring zone in Co Down
It follows confirmation of a highly pathogenic strain of Avian Influenza in captive birds
Last updated 17th Oct 2022
A three kilometre Captive Bird Monitoring Zone has been put in place in County Down following confirmation of highly pathogenic Avian Influenza in captive birds.
DAERA said it has introduced further disease control measures at Castle Espie, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT), Strangford Lough following the confirmation.
A zone has now been put in place around the infected premises, whereby all poultry and captive birds must now be kept in secure housing or otherwise kept separate from wild birds.
DAERA Minister Edwin Poots has described the confirmation of HPAI H5N1 in captive birds as “extremely disappointing”.
He said: “No captive bird site or poultry premises is immune from a potential incursion of this terrible disease, and it is of paramount importance that all bird keepers take appropriate action now to review and enhance their biosecurity measures to protect their birds from this highly infectious disease.”
Chief Veterinary Officer for NI, Dr Robert Huey, has warned that if Avian Influenza were to enter commercial flock across the country it would have a “significant and devastating impact” on the poultry industry here.
He said: “Earlier this week I introduced a Temporary Control Zone at Castle Espie after initial test results suggested the presence of notifiable Avian Influenza (AI) in a captive flock.
“Following confirmation from the National Reference Laboratory that Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), subtype H5N1 has been found, I have taken the decision to introduce further appropriate disease control measures and a 3km Captive Bird Monitoring Zone (CBMZ) has now been put in place around the infected premises.
“I would urge all flock keepers to take action to review and, where necessary, improve biosecurity in order to prevent further incursion of the disease.
“If Avian Influenza were to enter our Northern Ireland commercial flock, it would have a significant and devastating impact on our poultry industry, international trade, and the wider economy.”
The UK Health Security Agency has confirmed that avian influenza is primarily a disease of birds and the risk to the general public’s health is very low.
The Food Standards Agency has also advised, in avian influenza incursions of this type, that there is a very low risk to public health from the consumption of properly cooked poultry meat or eggs provided appropriate hygiene measures are followed.
Avian Influenza is a notifiable disease, therefore anyone who suspects an animal may be affected must, by law, report it to their local DAERA Direct Office.
DAERA has encouraged anyone with their flock (however small) to ensure they are registered so the department can easily reach and communicate directly with future updates,
You can register by contacting your local DAERA Direct office or online via the DAERA website.
You can also sign up to the text alert service simply by texting 'BIRDS' to 67300. This will allow you to receive immediate notification of any important disease information, allowing you to protect your flocks at the earliest opportunity.
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