Suspect case of avian flu detected at commercial poultry site in Northern Ireland
- Love Ballymena
- Oct 5
- 2 min read
Disease control measures have been implemented by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) following a suspect case of notifiable highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) at a commercial poultry premises near Omagh.
The Chief Veterinary Officer for Northern Ireland, Brian Dooher, made the decision to introduce precautionary measures based on a number of factors, including clinical signs and preliminary results from the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI).
Precautionary action and control zones
Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir confirmed:
“A suspect case of notifiable Avian Influenza was reported on Friday 03 October and initial results suggest the presence of notifiable HPAI.
“The CVO has, therefore, taken the decision, as a precautionary measure, to apply appropriate disease control measures, including the humane culling of all poultry on the site and the introduction of Temporary Control Zones (TCZ) to mitigate for onward disease spread.”
Minister Muir warned that the discovery was “a stark reminder that we cannot afford to be complacent,” urging all bird owners—from backyard hobbyists to commercial flock keepers—“to adhere to all biosecurity measures to protect their flocks.”
Call for vigilance among bird owners
Chief Veterinary Officer Brian Dooher said:
“The disease control measures are crucial to limit any potential spread of disease and I appeal to all bird owners – backyard and commercial – to take all necessary steps to protect your flock. This includes ensuring continuous excellent levels of biosecurity and reporting any suspect cases of avian flu to DAERA immediately.”
Samples from the affected site have been sent to the National Reference Laboratory to confirm the strain and pathogenicity of the virus. Should the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza be officially confirmed, the Temporary Control Zones will be replaced by a 3km Protection Zone (PZ) and 10km Surveillance Zone (SZ).
Details of the control zones and associated measures are available on the DAERA website:
Public advice and reporting
Members of the public are being urged to report any findings of dead waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks), gulls, or five or more dead wild birds of other species in the same area via the DAERA Dead Wild Bird Online Reporting Tool:
Avian Influenza is a notifiable disease, and anyone who suspects an animal may be affected must, by law, report it to their local DAERA Direct Office.
Public health and food safety
The Public Health Agency has confirmed that avian influenza remains primarily a disease of birds, and that the risk to public health is very low.
The Food Standards Agency has also reassured consumers that avian influenza poses a very low food safety risk. Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.
