Avian Influenza Biosecurity
Type Leaflet
Avian Influenza, otherwise known as Bird Flu, is a highly contagious viral disease that affects birds. This disease poses a constant threat to the Irish Poultry industry.
The H5N8 strain of avian influenza has led to number of outbreaks of “Bird Flu” in both poultry and wild birds in Europe since the end of October of 2020. H5N8 is a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza which means that it causes severe disease and often death in infected birds.
On 10th December 2020, H5N8 was found in a small flock of turkeys in County Wicklow. As a precaution, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine have introduced a housing order – this is the temporary housing of ALL poultry and other captive birds until further notice. The regulations came into force on December 21st 2020.
These housing regulations alone will not prevent an outbreak of Avian Influenza. All poultry keepers must enforce the strictest biosecurity measures on their farm, regardless of size.
The disease poses no food safety risk for consumers. Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs are safe to eat.
View poster below or download the poster here Teagasc AI Biosecurity (PDF)
