Irish bird keepers have been urged to “take strict precautions and exercise the highest standards of biosecurity,” following a suspected case of bird flu in Co Tyrone.
Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon said the risk of avian influenza would increase during the winter, and he encouraged the public to stay vigilant.
He added that all poultry owners in the State must register their flocks with his department.
Northern Ireland’s department of agriculture, environment and rural affairs said disease control measures have been initiated following the case of notifiable highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) near Omagh.
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Agriculture minister Andrew Muir said: “This suspect incursion of HPAI is a stark reminder that we cannot afford to be complacent.”
It is understood hundreds of birds will be culled.
Mr Muir said it was imperative that all bird owners “from backyard hobbyists to commercial flock-keepers with thousands of birds” adhered to biosecurity measures to protect flocks.
[ Bird flu ‘could very well become the next pandemic’, says Irish virologistOpens in new window ]
Earlier this year, thousands of birds were culled and sanitation actions carried out at premises in Magherafelt in Co Derry and Cookstown, Pomeroy and Stewartstown in Co Tyrone where cases had been confirmed.
