News

Notice Regarding Avian Influenza

Date Released: Tuesday, January 3, 2017

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine announced (30th December 2016) that it has confirmed avian influenza subtype H5N8 in a wild bird in County Wexford.  The wild duck – a widgeon – was found alive but unable to fly in Wexford Town on 28 December.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has confirmed that although the H5N8 subtype can cause serious disease in poultry and other birds, no human infections with this virus have been reported world-wide and therefore risk to humans is considered to be very low.

The finding is not unexpected given the detection of highly pathogenic H5N8 in wild birds in Great Britain in the last two weeks, and comes one week after the Minister introduced regulations under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 requiring the compulsory housing of poultry as a result of the increased threat. Further tests are being carried out to determine whether the virus is the same highly pathogenic strain that is currently present in Great Britain and mainland Europe. The results of these tests will not be available until later this week.

The Department reiterates that strict bio-security measures are necessary to prevent the introduction of avian influenza into poultry and captive bird flocks.   Flock owners should remain vigilant for any signs of disease in their flocks, and report any disease suspicion to their nearest Department Veterinary Office.

Responsibility for Response to Avian Influenza

The Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFM) is responsible for controlling AI in birds and mammals other than humans in Ireland. In that context, the Department has lead responsibility for preparing for, and the responding to, AI in Ireland. DAFM has developed AI contingency plans. In the event of an outbreak in Ireland, DAF will take the take the lead role in co-ordinating and overseeing the response and will establish a Local Disease Control Centre close to the outbreak and a National Disease Control Centre based in Agriculture House, Kildare Street, Dublin.

NPWS will be one of a number of key players involved in any response to an outbreak of AI in Ireland. NPWS is already providing expert advice to DAFM in relation to AI and wild birds.

Further background information on AI is available on the website, www.agriculture.gov.ie. The Department of Agriculture and Food Avian Influenza Helpline Number is 076 1064403 and the after-hours number is 1850 200456