Outbreak of avian influenza confirmed in turkey flock in Meath

Restriction zones have been established around affected holding

A further outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in a commercial turkey flock, this time near Kells, has been confirmed, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, stated this evening.

Restriction zones have been established around the affected holding, comprising of a 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone in line with national and EU legislation. This follows confirmation of the disease in a flock in Co Carlow yesterday.

This development follows the minister’s announcement earlier today of a mandatory housing order for all poultry and captive birds, which will take effect on Monday 10th November. These Regulations also include a ban on gatherings of birds from different premises to protect the birds from the risk of infection e.g. shows, fairs, sales.

Minister Heydon said: “This second outbreak underlines the ongoing presence of avian influenza in wild birds across the country. The introduction of the housing order will further strengthen our national protection measures to help mitigate the ongoing risk. I want to thank poultry keepers for their continued cooperation and strong commitment to maintaining the highest standards of biosecurity during this high-risk period. Working together and following strict biosecurity procedures is the strongest defence to reduce the risk and safeguard our poultry sector.”

The HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HSE-HPSC) and the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) advise that the risk to public health from the strain of Avian Influenza that is circulating is very low. Notwithstanding, members of the public are, as always, advised not to handle sick or dead wild birds and to report sick or dead wild birds to the Department’s avian check app (AvianCheck).

The Department reminds all flock owners, regardless of the flock size, to:

Comply fully with the housing and biosecurity regulations

Remain vigilant for sign of disease, and

Report any suspicions of avian influenza to their local regional veterinary office, or if outside business hours, to contact the National Disease Emergency Hotline on (01) 492 8026.

The Department continues to closely monitor developments closely, engage with industry stakeholders and take all necessary measures to mitigate the risk of avian influenza.

Reacting to the confirmation of a second case of avian flu on a turkey farm in Co Meath, Nigel Sweetnam, chairperson of the Irish Farmers Association's poultry committee, said there has to be a laser-like focus on biosecurity across the country.

“Flock owners must work to guarantee the tightest controls are in place," he said tonight. "The housing order takes effect from next Monday, but producers should house their birds now and take the necessary steps to protect their birds.”

“This latest case comes after confirmation of avian flu on a farm in Carlow yesterday - it’s a very concerning development and devastating for the farm,” he said.

Nigel Sweetnam said producers should go through their biosecurity protocols in detail and ensure there are no gaps anywhere. Housing the birds is an additional protection, but effective biosecurity protocols that minimise the risk are our number one defence.

“The risk is so high that only controls that are strictly implemented and managed robustly will work in the fight to limit the spread of avian flu,” he concluded.