DAERA warns bird keepers to remain alert as avian influenza cases confirmed

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has issued a renewed warning to all poultry and bird keepers in Northern Ireland to remain alert for signs of avian influenza, as new cases of the virus are confirmed both locally and across the UK and Ireland.

The urgent call comes in the wake of recent detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1, with cases reported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) in the Republic of Ireland and by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in Great Britain.

In the past few days, a small backyard flock in County Donegal tested positive for the H5N1 strain, while further outbreaks have been confirmed at six separate locations in England. In each instance, affected birds were humanely culled to contain the spread of the disease.

“These findings highlight the persistent and serious threat posed by avian influenza to both commercial and backyard flocks,” a DAERA spokesperson said.

The Department is urging all bird keepers—regardless of flock size or setting—to take all necessary measures to minimise the risk of infection, particularly from wild birds, which are known to play a major role in the transmission of the virus.

Recent weeks have seen a rise in avian influenza cases among wild birds, especially in coastal regions of Ireland and Great Britain. A confirmed case in a wild bird found in County Down has heightened concerns about the virus reaching domestic poultry populations in Northern Ireland.

DAERA is again emphasising the critical importance of robust biosecurity, calling it the “most effective defence against avian influenza.” Bird keepers are strongly advised to follow the Biosecurity Checklist and Guidance available on the DAERA website to ensure best practices are maintained.

“All bird keepers have a role to play in preventing the spread of avian flu. Practising strict biosecurity is essential to protecting individual flocks and the wider poultry sector,” the spokesperson added.

Additionally, DAERA is reminding all keepers—except those who house pet birds exclusively indoors—that registration of birds is a legal requirement. Those who have not yet registered should complete the official Bird Registration Form available online.

Members of the public are also encouraged to assist in disease monitoring by reporting any dead wild birds using the DAERA Dead Wild Bird Online Reporting Tool.

As the virus continues to circulate, DAERA is urging everyone involved in poultry keeping to remain vigilant, act promptly, and stay informed through official channels.