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Press release
Ireland’s freedom from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
Minister Heydon is pleased to announce that the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has published Ireland’s self-declaration of freedom from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza viruses (HPAI) in poultry on its website, with an effective date of 01 January 2026.
Minister Heydon commended all involved in regaining disease freedom:
The Minister also highlighted the importance of compliance with measures (outlined below) which remain in place:
• The Housing Order (Avian Influenza (Precautionary Confinement of Birds and Restriction on Assembly of Live Birds) Regulations 2025, S.I. No. 532 of 2025)
• The Biosecurity Measures Regulations (Statutory Instrument 520/2025- Avian Influenza (Biosecurity measures) Regulations 2025)
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza has not been detected in Ireland in wild birds or domestic poultry in 2026 (to date), however cases continue to be detected across Europe and Great Britain so continued vigilance is advised.
Updates on the situation will be published on the http://www.gov.ie/birdflu webpage.
Ireland’s freedom from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
- From: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
- Published on: 23 January 2026
- Last updated on: 23 January 2026
Minister Heydon is pleased to announce that the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has published Ireland’s self-declaration of freedom from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza viruses (HPAI) in poultry on its website, with an effective date of 01 January 2026.
Minister Heydon commended all involved in regaining disease freedom:
“This publication means that Ireland has regained its status regarding ‘Freedom from HPAI’. It is a real credit to our poultry industry and my Department, and I want to acknowledge the effort involved in reaching this point. Unfortunately, we’re still in the high-risk period and I want to remind all stakeholders to remain vigilant.’
The Minister also highlighted the importance of compliance with measures (outlined below) which remain in place:
• The Housing Order (Avian Influenza (Precautionary Confinement of Birds and Restriction on Assembly of Live Birds) Regulations 2025, S.I. No. 532 of 2025)
• The Biosecurity Measures Regulations (Statutory Instrument 520/2025- Avian Influenza (Biosecurity measures) Regulations 2025)
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza has not been detected in Ireland in wild birds or domestic poultry in 2026 (to date), however cases continue to be detected across Europe and Great Britain so continued vigilance is advised.
Updates on the situation will be published on the http://www.gov.ie/birdflu webpage.
