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UK - Northern Ireland: DAERA confirms that 2 greylag geese, found in Lurgan Park, Co Armagh, have tested positive for H5N6 Avian Influenza.

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  • UK - Northern Ireland: DAERA confirms that 2 greylag geese, found in Lurgan Park, Co Armagh, have tested positive for H5N6 Avian Influenza.

    Avian Influenza confirmed in a wild bird in Co Armagh

    Date published: 15 June 2018
    Topics:





    The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs today confirmed that a wild greylag goose, found in Lurgan Park, Co Armagh, has tested positive for H5N6 Avian Influenza.


    The goose was reported to DAERA as part of its dead wild bird surveillance programme, and was submitted for testing at the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), where initial testing has indicated avian influenza, sub-type H5N6. This is the same strain as confirmed in a wild buzzard in Co Antrim in March this year.
    The Chief Veterinary Officer for Northern Ireland, Dr Robert Huey, said: ?This is the second case of H5N6 in a wild bird in Northern Ireland this season and is not unexpected given that avian influenza continues to circulate in wild birds across Europe. It further emphasises the requirement for all bird keepers to remain vigilant and to critically review their biosecurity measures, for example, feeding and watering birds under cover to help reduce the risk of their poultry coming in contact with wild birds. It is important that flock keepers report early any suspicions of disease.
    ?While the risk of an avian influenza incursion in wild birds remains, the risk to poultry is low. However, it is essential that we take the necessary steps to protect our poultry industry, international trade and the wider economy.
    ?I continue to encourage strongly all bird keepers to register their flocks. This will ensure they receive the latest information from the Department and also allow them to be contacted in an avian disease outbreak enabling them to protect their flock at the earliest opportunity. I would also encourage bird keepers to subscribe to the Avian Influenza text service by simply texting: ?BIRDS? to 67300?
    Advice from the Public Health Agency is that the risk to public health from the virus is very low, however the general public is advised to take appropriate biosecurity precautions before touching or picking up birds that are dead, or appear to be sick or dying. Further advice can be found on the DAERA website.
    The Food Standards Agency has confirmed 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.
    Members of the public are encouraged to report dead waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or gulls, or five or more dead wild birds of other species in the same location, to the DAERA helpline on 0300 200 7840, Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm).
    If you are concerned about the health of your birds you should seek advice from your veterinary surgeon. If you suspect that your birds are showing signs of the disease you should immediately report it to your nearest Department Veterinary Office.
    ...
    The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs today confirmed that a wild greylag goose, found in Lurgan Park, Co Armagh, has tested




    "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
    -Nelson Mandela

  • #2
    Highly pathogenic influenza A viruses (infection with) (non-poultry including wild birds),
    United Kingdom
    Information received on 15/06/2018 from Dr Christine Middlemiss, Chief Veterinary Officer, DEFRA, Department for Environment,Food and Rural Affairs , London, United Kingdom
    Summary
    Report type Immediate notification (Final report)
    Date of start of the event 14/06/2018
    Date of confirmation of the event 15/06/2018
    Report date 15/06/2018
    Date submitted to OIE 15/06/2018
    Date event resolved 15/06/2018
    Reason for notification Recurrence of a listed disease
    Date of previous occurrence 23/04/2018
    Manifestation of disease Clinical disease
    Causal agent Highly pathogenic influenza A virus
    Serotype H5N6
    Nature of diagnosis Clinical, Laboratory (advanced)
    This event pertains to a defined zone within the country
    New outbreaks (1)
    Outbreak 1 (WB AIV 2018 2-1) Armagh, Northern Ireland
    Date of start of the outbreak 14/06/2018
    Outbreak status Resolved (15/06/2018)
    Epidemiological unit Natural park
    Affected animals
    Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Killed and disposed of Slaughtered
    Greylag Goose:Anser anser(Anatidae) 1 1 0 0
    Affected population One goose found dead in natural park.
    Summary of outbreaks Total outbreaks: 1
    Total animals affected
    Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Killed and disposed of Slaughtered
    Greylag Goose:Anser anser(Anatidae) 1 1 0 0
    Outbreak statistics
    Species Apparent morbidity rate Apparent mortality rate Apparent case fatality rate Proportion susceptible animals lost*
    Greylag Goose:Anser anser(Anatidae) ** ** 100.00% **
    *Removed from the susceptible population through death, destruction and/or slaughter
    **Not calculated because of missing information
    Epidemiology
    Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection
    • Contact with wild species
    Epidemiological comments A wild greylag goose was found dead and tested positive for H5N6 HPAI. Sequence analysis indicates high homology to the virus isolated from a Buzzard in Northern Ireland on 23rd March 2018. The event is resolved and no further reports will be submitted.
    Control measures
    Measures applied
    • Vaccination prohibited
    • No treatment of affected animals
    Measures to be applied
    • No other measures
    Diagnostic test results
    Laboratory name and type Species Test Test date Result
    AFBNI laboratory, Northern Ireland (National laboratory) Greylag Goose nucleotide sequencing 15/06/2018 Positive
    AFBNI laboratory, Northern Ireland (National laboratory) Greylag Goose real-time reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR) 15/06/2018 Positive
    Animal and Plant Health Agency, Weybridge (OIE Reference Laboratory) Greylag Goose real-time reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR) 15/06/2018 Positive
    Future Reporting
    The event is resolved. No more reports will be submitted.
    ...
    "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
    -Nelson Mandela

    Comment


    • #3
      Chief Vet stresses importance of biosecurity and vigilance against avian flu

      Date published: 19 June 2018

      The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) today confirmed that a second wild greylag goose, found in Lurgan Park, County Armagh, has tested positive for H5N6 Avian Influenza. The second goose, like the first, was reported to DAERA as part of its dead wild bird surveillance programme, and was submitted for testing at the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), where initial testing has indicated avian influenza, sub-type H5N6.

      The Chief Veterinary Officer for Northern Ireland, Dr Robert Huey, said: ?This latest case in a wild bird further emphasises the requirement for all bird keepers to remain vigilant and to critically review their biosecurity measures, for example, feeding and watering birds under cover to help reduce the risk of their poultry coming in contact with wild birds. It is important that flock keepers report early any suspicions of disease.

      ?While it is not unexpected to find another case of avian flu in a wild bird in close proximity to the confirmed case of last week, and the risk to poultry remains low, it is important that flock keepers remain vigilant and it is essential that we take the necessary steps to protect our poultry industry, international trade and the wider economy.

      ?I continue to encourage strongly all bird keepers to register their flocks. This will ensure they receive the latest information from the Department and also allow them to be contacted in an avian disease outbreak enabling them to protect their flock at the earliest opportunity. I would also encourage bird keepers to subscribe to the Avian Influenza text service by simply texting: ?BIRDS? to 67300?.

      Bird keepers visiting waterfowl sites such as lakes and ponds should also take measures to prevent disease spread to back yard flocks through contamination of footwear with wild bird faeces.

      Advice from the Public Health Agency is that the risk to public health from the virus is very low, however, the general public is advised to take appropriate biosecurity precautions before touching or picking up birds that are dead, or appear to be sick or dying. Further advice can be found on the DAERA website.
      The Food Standards Agency has confirmed 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.

      Members of the public are encouraged to report dead waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or gulls, or five or more dead wild birds of other species in the same location, to the DAERA helpline on 0300 200 7840, Mon-Fri 9.00am to 5.00pm.

      Notes to editors:
      1. Avian Influenza is a notifiable disease. Anyone who suspects an animal may be affected by a notifiable disease must report it to their local Divisional Veterinary Office. Download the contact details for DAERA Direct Regional offices.
      2. All poultry and other birds must be registered with DAERA. The application form is available on the DAERA website.
      3. More information about Avian Influenza - including biosecurity guidance - is available from the DAERA website including frequently asked questions.
      4. Members of the public are encouraged to report dead waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or gulls, or five or more dead wild birds of other species in the same location, to the DAERA helpline on 0300 200 7840, Mon-Fri 9.00am to 5.00pm).
      5. The department may take photographs and videos at announcements and events to publicise its work. Photographs, interviews, videos or other recordings may be issued to media organisations for publicity purposes or used in promotional material, including in publications, newspapers, magazines, other print media, on television, radio and electronic media (including social media and the internet). Photographs and videos will also be stored on the department?s internal records management system. The department will keep the photographs and recordings for no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which they have been obtained. The department?s Privacy Policy is available on our website.
      6. Follow DAERA on Twitter(external link opens in a new window / tab) and Facebook(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. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07623 974383 and your call will be returned.
      https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/news/chi...inst-avian-flu
      "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
      -Nelson Mandela

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