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.
“My message for anybody who has poultry or kept birds is clear: please take strict precautions and exercise the highest standards of biosecurity to protect your flocks from the threat of avian influenza, and to protect the poultry sector in Ireland.”
He added that all poultry owners in the State must register their flocks with his department.
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Northern Ireland’s department of agriculture, environment and rural affairs (Daera) said disease control measures have been initiated following the case of notifiable highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) near Omagh.
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.
Chief veterinary officer (CVO) for Northern Ireland Brian Dooher said he had introduced the measures following the identification of clinical signs and preliminary results provided by the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI).
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 ]
“This includes ensuring continuous excellent levels of biosecurity and reporting any suspect cases of avian flu to Daera immediately.
“Samples from the infected premises have been sent to the national reference laboratory to confirm strain and pathogenicity.
“Should HPAI be officially confirmed, these TCZs will be revoked and replaced with a 3km protection zone (PZ) and 10km surveillance zone.”
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.
Mr Muir later announced an avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ), which imposed a range of compulsory biosecurity controls on poultry flocks, to address the risk.
The measures were lifted at the end of May. - PA
