Castle Espie temporarily closed over suspected bird flu cases
Control measures have been put in place
Officials reckon bird flu is back in Northern Ireland after early tests on samples in captive birds at Castle Espie wetland reserve in County Down indicated positive results.
Control measures have been put in place around the infected premises.
All bird keepers are being urged to act now to protect their flocks, as officials warn if Avian Influenza were to enter Northern Ireland’s commercial flock, it would have a “significant and devastating impact” on our poultry industry.
Health bodies are reminding however that avian influenza is primarily a disease of birds and the risk to the human health is very low.
A statement from DAERA said it has “introduced disease control measures following initial confirmation of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 in samples collected from captive birds at Castle Espie, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Strangford Lough.”
“As a precautionary measure, following initial laboratory results, a 3km disease control restriction zone has 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.”
In a post online, the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust said “Castle Espie Wetland Centre is temporarily closed as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of avian influenza. This is to protect the birds in our care and those returning to spend winter on our reserve, and is in line with requirements from the UK government.”
“We apologise for the disappointment we know this will cause. We will keep this page updated with any further updates as soon as we have them.”
“If you have booked to visit us this week, we'll be in touch to arrange a transfer of your tickets or a refund.”
DAERA Minister Edwin Poots has said, “To date there have been over 180 cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 across the UK, since the first case confirmed in England on 26 October 2021. There have been six confirmed outbreaks in Northern Ireland over the past 12 months, the most recent in February, with a significant number of wild bird findings across the year. In addition, there have been six confirmed cases in the Republic of Ireland. Prior to this the largest number of cases in Great Britain was 26 cases in 2020/2021 and 13 cases in 2016/17.”
“The continual positive findings of H5N1 across Great Britain, and findings through our wild bird surveillance programme, suggest that the disease is already once again present in Northern Ireland. It is of paramount importance that all bird keepers take appropriate action to review and enhance their biosecurity measures to protect their birds from this highly infectious disease.”
“No poultry premises or captive bird site is immune from a potential incursion. All must take immediate action now to protect not only local flocks and commercial premises, but our entire industry and specialised conservation and educational sites, from this dreadful disease.”
Chief Veterinary Officer for NI, Dr Robert Huey added, “All flock keepers must take action now to review and, where necessary, improve biosecurity in order to prevent an incursion of the disease into our poultry flock. 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.
“In addition, the negative financial and emotional impact on the individual farm family and business is something we have seen all too often with disease incursions and we must do everything we can to avoid this, particularly at this time of heightened risk.”
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