Avian influenza has been detected in a wild buzzard in Galway (5 December) highlighting that we have entered the high-risk period for the highly contagious virus.
Avian Influenza (AI) or ‘bird flu’ is a viral disease that primarily affects poultry and wild fowl. It is caused by a Type A influenza virus.
There are two types of Avian Influenza virus. These are called low pathogenic (LPAI) and highly pathogenic (HPAI), depending on the severity of the disease that they cause in birds. All types of AI, regardless of sub-type or pathogenicity, are notifiable to DAFM (SI 130/2016).
There is a large number of cases in commercial poultry in mainland Europe and two cases in the UK. (Figure 1) There is a huge volume of wild bird cases in the UK, as seen in Figure 2.
While there is only one wild bird case confirmed in Ireland, this sparks major concern for poultry producers.
DAFM has not yet enforced a housing order but stringent biosecurity measures need to be implemented. S.I. No. 666/2024 - Avian Influenza (Biosecurity Measures) Regulations 2024 has been introduced by DAFM.
In an effort to limit the spread of HPAI, all producers must tighten the biosecurity measures being implemented on farm. DAFM has introduced a Statutory Instrument in relation to biosecurity measures which must be in place on all farms.
Operational biosecurity is the third level of biosecurity measures which must be in place on all farms. This deals with the day-to-day management on farm and is the key to prevent disease incursion on farm. Figure 3 details the potential biosecurity threats to the farm.
Biosecurity Measures
It is crucial to limit the number of visitors to the poultry site. Only essential visitors should be granted access to the site.
Those who must come on-site should be fully clothed in Personal Protection Equipment (PPE). This should include disposable boot covers, coveralls, gloves, hair net and face masks. This PPE must be left on site, to prevent spread to another site.
A detailed visitor log must be kept of all visitors who come on-site; this should include feed deliveries, gas deliveries, collections, field officers, etc. Date, name, vehicle registration, company, reason for visit, the last poultry site visited and the date of that visit.
Staff/personnel working on farm must be fully aware of all biosecurity measures. They must not be in contact with any other poultry of any type. If this is unavoidable, they must take all ‘reasonable measures’ to prevent the transfer of AI to or from a poultry unit.
These measures should include the cleaning and disinfection of equipment, vehicles and footwear that may have been in contact with poultry or captive birds. Staff should be provided with house-specific clothing and footwear. Outdoor shoes should not enter the commercial poultry house.
Disinfection of vehicles should take place at the gate, a suitable method of disinfecting, with a suitable disinfectant should be available at all times for essential visitors who must come on site.
There must be footbaths at all entry and exit points to the unit.
The disinfectant must be effective against AI (Check out DAFM Approved list). This must be replenished as required. Hand washing facilities should be readily available in the store area, with antibacterial soap and hot water present.
Within the store area, a step-over barrier creates distinct dirty and clean zones. This barrier is the point at which clothing must be changed/or additional boot covers put on. Be sure to check on Teagasc’s biosecurity video for more information on step-over barriers. Figure 4 details the two-step barriers, and how to use guides.
The area surrounding the poultry unit must be kept clean and tidy. Any feed spillages should be cleaned up immediately. No pools or stagnant water should be allowed to develop. All waste and rubbish material should be removed from site.
These measures are to deter wild birds from landing on the site.
The concrete apron at the house front should be kept clean and disinfected to prevent any potential disease being carried into the house by people.
The structure of the building must be examined to ensure its integrity is intact. Any damage which may allow vermin access to the house must be repaired ASAP.
The rodent control points must be monitored also, to ensure no activity is taking place, as vermin could potentially carry the virus into the house.
Record keeping is very important to keep track of all movement of birds or produce on- and off-farm. These records must include:
The quantity and description (species of bird/type of egg).Date of each movement.Land/premises of destination.Name and address of the person to whom consigned.The disease poses no food safety risk for consumers. Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.
For more information, visit the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine website. The National Disease Control Centre releases updates on a regular basis. You can subscribe on the DAFM website.
It is crucial that all producers follow the stringent biosecurity measures which have been introduced by DAFM.
All producers should be vigilant for any disease which cannot be explained.
If they suspect AI this should be reported to their nearest regional veterinary office and your veterinary practitioner.
Symptoms include:
Death/high mortalities.Depression/lethargy.Loss of appetite.Respiratory distress (gaping beak, coughing, sneezing, gurgling, rattling).Swelling and blue discolouration of combs, wattles, neck and throat.Diarrhoea.Reduced egg production/no egg production.
Avian influenza has been detected in a wild buzzard in Galway (5 December) highlighting that we have entered the high-risk period for the highly contagious virus.
Avian Influenza (AI) or ‘bird flu’ is a viral disease that primarily affects poultry and wild fowl. It is caused by a Type A influenza virus.
There are two types of Avian Influenza virus. These are called low pathogenic (LPAI) and highly pathogenic (HPAI), depending on the severity of the disease that they cause in birds. All types of AI, regardless of sub-type or pathogenicity, are notifiable to DAFM (SI 130/2016).
There is a large number of cases in commercial poultry in mainland Europe and two cases in the UK. (Figure 1) There is a huge volume of wild bird cases in the UK, as seen in Figure 2.
While there is only one wild bird case confirmed in Ireland, this sparks major concern for poultry producers.
DAFM has not yet enforced a housing order but stringent biosecurity measures need to be implemented. S.I. No. 666/2024 - Avian Influenza (Biosecurity Measures) Regulations 2024 has been introduced by DAFM.
In an effort to limit the spread of HPAI, all producers must tighten the biosecurity measures being implemented on farm. DAFM has introduced a Statutory Instrument in relation to biosecurity measures which must be in place on all farms.
Operational biosecurity is the third level of biosecurity measures which must be in place on all farms. This deals with the day-to-day management on farm and is the key to prevent disease incursion on farm. Figure 3 details the potential biosecurity threats to the farm.
Biosecurity Measures
It is crucial to limit the number of visitors to the poultry site. Only essential visitors should be granted access to the site.
Those who must come on-site should be fully clothed in Personal Protection Equipment (PPE). This should include disposable boot covers, coveralls, gloves, hair net and face masks. This PPE must be left on site, to prevent spread to another site.
A detailed visitor log must be kept of all visitors who come on-site; this should include feed deliveries, gas deliveries, collections, field officers, etc. Date, name, vehicle registration, company, reason for visit, the last poultry site visited and the date of that visit.
Staff/personnel working on farm must be fully aware of all biosecurity measures. They must not be in contact with any other poultry of any type. If this is unavoidable, they must take all ‘reasonable measures’ to prevent the transfer of AI to or from a poultry unit.
These measures should include the cleaning and disinfection of equipment, vehicles and footwear that may have been in contact with poultry or captive birds. Staff should be provided with house-specific clothing and footwear. Outdoor shoes should not enter the commercial poultry house.
Disinfection of vehicles should take place at the gate, a suitable method of disinfecting, with a suitable disinfectant should be available at all times for essential visitors who must come on site.
There must be footbaths at all entry and exit points to the unit.
The disinfectant must be effective against AI (Check out DAFM Approved list). This must be replenished as required. Hand washing facilities should be readily available in the store area, with antibacterial soap and hot water present.
Within the store area, a step-over barrier creates distinct dirty and clean zones. This barrier is the point at which clothing must be changed/or additional boot covers put on. Be sure to check on Teagasc’s biosecurity video for more information on step-over barriers. Figure 4 details the two-step barriers, and how to use guides.
The area surrounding the poultry unit must be kept clean and tidy. Any feed spillages should be cleaned up immediately. No pools or stagnant water should be allowed to develop. All waste and rubbish material should be removed from site.
These measures are to deter wild birds from landing on the site.
The concrete apron at the house front should be kept clean and disinfected to prevent any potential disease being carried into the house by people.
The structure of the building must be examined to ensure its integrity is intact. Any damage which may allow vermin access to the house must be repaired ASAP.
The rodent control points must be monitored also, to ensure no activity is taking place, as vermin could potentially carry the virus into the house.
Record keeping is very important to keep track of all movement of birds or produce on- and off-farm. These records must include:
The quantity and description (species of bird/type of egg).Date of each movement.Land/premises of destination.Name and address of the person to whom consigned.The disease poses no food safety risk for consumers. Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.
For more information, visit the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine website. The National Disease Control Centre releases updates on a regular basis. You can subscribe on the DAFM website.
It is crucial that all producers follow the stringent biosecurity measures which have been introduced by DAFM.
All producers should be vigilant for any disease which cannot be explained.
If they suspect AI this should be reported to their nearest regional veterinary office and your veterinary practitioner.
Symptoms include:
Death/high mortalities.Depression/lethargy.Loss of appetite.Respiratory distress (gaping beak, coughing, sneezing, gurgling, rattling).Swelling and blue discolouration of combs, wattles, neck and throat.Diarrhoea.Reduced egg production/no egg production. 
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