The Department today announced that it has confirmed that the avian influenza subtype H5N8 detected in the wild bird found in County Wexford on 28 December, is the highly pathogenic strain that has previously been confirmed in the UK and mainland Europe.  This is the only case detected in Ireland so far.

As previously advised, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre has confirmed that the risk to humans is considered to be very low.

The Department continues to monitor the situation and notes the deteriorating weather forecast for continental Europe this week.

The Department reiterates once again the requirement to confine poultry and other birds, and to apply strict bio-security measures to prevent the introduction of avian influenza.  Poultry flock owners should remain vigilant for any signs of disease in their flocks, and report any disease suspicion to their nearest Department Veterinary Office.

Further information:

Further information on avian influenza, including guidance for hunters, can be found here:

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/avian_influenza/birdflunews/

Advice on handling dead wild birds can be found here:

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/avian_influenza/importsexports/measurestoreducetheriskofintroductionofavianinfluenza/

A list of Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine offices and their contact details is available at: http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/contact/

Date Released: 10 January 2017