The CSPCA urges the public to avoid contact with sick or dead wild birds amid confirmed cases of avian influenza in Ireland.
Stock Image https://mainemorningstar.com/
A housing order from the Department of Agriculture has come into effect from 17th February 2025 for poultry flocks and captive birds to protect them from avian influenza. It follows five detections of the virus (bird flu) – in wild birds across Ireland since last December. Separate detections were made in Galway and Dublin in December, with three more cases last month – in Donegal, Westmeath, and Wexford.
In Northern Ireland, 64,000 birds are to be slaughtered at a commercial poultry unit in Tyrone, after the discovery of a suspected case of bird flu there. (RTE Aengus Fox Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Correspondent)
The Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine (DAFM) provides regularly updated information and guidance at gov.ie – Avian Influenza (bird flu), and has issued the following advice:
- Members of the public are reminded not to touch sick or dead wild birds.
- They should also avoid contact with surfaces contaminated with bird faeces and should not handle bird feathers they find in the wild.
- Pet owners are advised to ensure dogs are on a short lead when walking in areas where any sick or dead wild birds are, or have been, present.
- All poultry owners, including those who keep only one or two birds, should have their premises registered with the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine (DAFM).
- Keepers of poultry and captive birds should take steps to avoid contact between wild birds and poultry.
- Poultry keepers are reminded to remain vigilant for any suspicions of avian influenza in their flocks, and to report such suspicions to their Regional Veterinary Office (RVO) or the DAFM National Disease Emergency Hotline 01 492 8026 (outside office hours) without delay.
Sick or dead wild birds can be reported to DAFM via the local RVO, by using the Avian Check Wild Bird App https://aviancheck.apps.services.agriculture.gov.ie/, or by contacting the National Disease Emergency Hotline 01 492 8026 (outside office hours).
Stock image: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/
You can also report any suspected cases, sick or dead birds by checking in the Avian Check app see https://aviancheck.apps.services.agriculture.gov.ie/report this for wild birds only. You must notify your Regional Veterinary Office (RVO) or the Avian Influenza Hotline on 01 607 2512 (9am-6pm) without delay if you suspect your poultry flock and captive birds have symptoms of the virus.
