UK: Northern Ireland authorities investigating suspected case of bird flu in poultry in County Fermanagh - H6N1 confirmed

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.agriland.co.uk/farming-n...bird-flu-case/

NI authorities investigating suspected bird flu case
Agriland Team
Jan 6, 2020, 4:59pm

Authorities in Northern Ireland are investigating a suspected case of bird flu on a poultry farm in Co. Fermanagh.

In a statement, the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) said: “DAERA officials are currently investigating the suspected presence of a notifiable avian disease (NAD) in a broiler breeder flock in Co. Fermanagh.

“A private veterinary practitioner contacted DAERA on January 2, 2020, expressing concerns related to the increased mortality of birds at the holding,” the statement added.

DAERA immediately initiated a veterinary enquiry with a divisional veterinary officer visiting the holding on the evening of January 2, 2020. Restrictions have been served on the farm.

Samples have been taken from the farm and transported to the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) for testing...

[Pathfinder]

Department urges all poultry owners including backyard flock owners to be vigilant of Avian Influenza (AI)


The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine would like to remind people of the risk that Avian Influenza (AI) poses to the poultry sector in Ireland. The current investigation into the suspected presence of a notifiable avian disease in a broiler breeder flock in County Fermanagh, serves to highlight once again to poultry keepers the measures they should take to reduce the risk of introducing disease into their flock.

As we are currently in the high-risk period for avian influenza, the Department urges all poultry owners including backyard flock owners to be vigilant and to implement strict biosecurity on their premises, particularly in relation to minimising contact with wild birds. It is critically important to ensure that wild birds do not have access to feeding areas and feed stores.

Flock-owners should also regularly monitor their birds for signs of disease. If they suspect any signs of the disease in their flocks, they must report it immediately to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Anyone who keeps poultry, even only one or two birds, in Ireland must register their premises with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Further information:

DAFM has a wide variety of biosecurity resources for avian influenza- please see:

https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/avian...ecurityadvice/

To register a poultry flock please see:

https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/avian...yregistration/

RVO contact details

https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/contact/

List of target species of wild birds for AI surveillance

https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/animalhealthwelfare/diseasecontrols/avia ninfluenzabirdflu/informationonwildbirds/ListOfWildBirdSpeciesForTargetedAIsurveillance1 70118.pdf

European Commission

https://ec.europa.eu/food/animals/animal-diseases/control-measures/avian-influenza_en



Notes to editors:

What is avian influenza?

Avian influenza is a highly contagious viral disease affecting food producing birds, pet birds and wild birds. The virus has also been found in pigs, cats and dogs. 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.



What is the risk to the public?

Avian influenza viruses can occasionally affect humans - usually after close contact with infected poultry.



Where is the disease found?

Avian influenza occurs worldwide and different strains are more prevalent in certain areas.



How is the disease transmitted and spread?

Wild birds are considered the main source of introduction of disease into poultry, shedding virus in respiratory secretions and faeces. Subsequent contamination of water, feed and equipment allows entry of the virus into poultry flocks. Once the disease is in poultry, it may be spread between flocks via the movement of people, vehicles and equipment.

From October onwards represents the high-risk period for avian influenza in Ireland because migratory wild birds, the natural hosts of many avian influenza viruses, start to arrive in large numbers to overwinter.

In Ireland, these birds congregate on many wetland areas where they mix with resident wild bird species with the potential for both transmission of disease to resident birds and contamination of the environment. In addition, the colder weather and decreasing daylight hours from this point onwards means that the influenza virus can potentially survive for extended periods of time in the environment also



ENDS

Date Released: 08 January 2020

https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/press...137762,en.html

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.farminglife.com/farming-...farm-1-9202758
Non notifiable avian flu case identified on Co Fermanagh broiler farm
Published: 16:11 Wednesday 15 January 2020

DAERA has said that an investigation into mortalities on a Co Fermangh broiler breeder farm has identified a case of non-notifiable avian influenza H6N1.

While this is a less serious strain of influenza, which does not require further action by DAERA, Chief Veterinary Officer for Northern Ireland (NI), Dr Robert Huey has urged bird keepers to maintain excellent biosecurity.

Dr Huey said: “A veterinary investigation has concluded and a case of non-notifiable avian influenza has been identified in a commercial farm in County Fermanagh.

“Movement restrictions were placed on the holding as a precautionary measure whilst the veterinary investigation was in progress. The results received today confirm this strain was a non-notifiable avian disease of the subtype H6N1 and restrictions have now been lifted...

[Pathfinder]

Chief Veterinary Officer stresses importance of excellent biosecurity


Date published: 15 January 2020

A case of non-notifiable avian influenza H6N1 being has been identified in a broiler breeder farm in County Fermanagh.

While this is a less serious strain of influenza, which does not require further action by DAERA, Chief Veterinary Officer for Northern Ireland (NI), Dr Robert Huey has urged bird keepers to maintain excellent biosecurity.

Dr Huey said: “A veterinary investigation has concluded and a case of non-notifiable avian influenza has been identified in a commercial farm in County Fermanagh.

“Movement restrictions were placed on the holding as a precautionary measure whilst the veterinary investigation was in progress. The results received today confirm this strain was a non-notifiable avian disease of the subtype H6N1 and restrictions have now been lifted.

“Although this is a non-notifiable strain of the disease, it is a timely reminder to us all that avian influenza is a constant threat to all poultry flocks and how devastating it would be to our poultry industry should a notifiable case be confirmed in Northern Ireland.”

There is always an increased risk of avian disease incursion in the winter from migrating birds with several confirmed cases in Europe over the last few months. A case of notifiable Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza (LPAI) of the H5 strain was recently confirmed in a broiler breeder farm in Suffolk in December, while several cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) have also been confirmed in Poland in the last fortnight.

Dr Huey continued: “These recent cases represent warning signals for all poultry keepers that must not be ignored including those keeping game birds and pet birds. All flock keepers regardless of size are urged to act now by maintaining good biosecurity at all times in order to reduce the risk of disease transmission to their flocks.’’

“The presence of a notifiable strain of avian influenza in the Northern Ireland flock would have a significant impact on our poultry industry, international trade and the wider economy. It is therefore vitally important that we take the necessary steps to protect our national poultry flock, particularly in these winter months.

“In Northern Ireland the risk to poultry remains low, however, I urge all bird keepers to remain vigilant and to alert DAERA if they suspect any signs of the disease in their flocks. I would also encourage bird keepers to subscribe to the avian influenza text alert service by simply texting: ‘BIRDS’ to 67300”. You will be kept updated with the latest news and will receive immediate notification of any disease outbreak.”

Signs that poultry keepers should look for in their birds include an increased number of deaths, a swollen head, discolouration of the neck and throat, a loss of appetite, respiratory distress, diarrhoea and fewer eggs laid – although clinical signs can vary between species of bird

Further information on biosecurity and how to prevent disease is available here: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/avianflu

Anyone who suspects an animal may be affected by a notifiable disease must report it to their local DAERA Direct regional office.

Bird keepers are reminded that by law they must register their birds. Registration forms are available online or by contacting your local DAERA Direct Regional Office.

Public Health Agency advice is that the risk to public health from the virus is very low and the Food Standards Agency has made it clear that Avian Influenza does not pose a food safety risk for UK consumers. Thoroughly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.Notes to editors:


1. Non notifiable avian influenza is a less serious strain of avian influenza. It can cause mild breathing problems, but affected birds will not always show clear signs of infection.

2. If avian influenza is suspected keepers must report it immediately to the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or by contacting their DAERA Direct Regional Offices

3. If the public find dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or other dead wild birds, such as gulls or birds of prey, they should report them to the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840

4. Clinical signs that poultry keepers should look for in their birds include increased mortality, a swollen head, discolouration of neck and throat, loss of appetite, respiratory distress, diarrhoea and fewer eggs laid – although clinical signs vary between species of bird

5. Further information on biosecurity and how to prevent disease is available here: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/avian-influenza-ai

6. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook at http://twitter.com/daera_ni(external link opens in a new window / tab) and http://www.facebook.com/daerani.gov.uk(external link opens in a new window / tab)

7. All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office on 028 9052 4619 or via email to pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer on 028 9037 8110.

https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/news/chi...nt-biosecurity