Ireland - Avian influenza in wild birds 2024-2025

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.animalhealthsurveillanc...urrentnews/avianinfluenzaupdateno3of2024.html


Avian Influenza Update No. 3 of 2024

Avian Influenza Update No. 3 of 2024 (pdf 586Kb)

Avian Influenza H5N1 has been detected in a wild buzzard in Co. Galway (5th December 2024)
Avian Influenza (Biosecurity measures) Regulations 2024 come into effect on Friday, 6th December 2025
Members of the public are reminded not to handle sick or dead wild birds
All bird keepers are reminded to remain vigilant for signs of disease in their flocks and report any suspicion of HPAI without delay to their local Regional Veterinary Office (RVO)

Species: Avian
9:53 AM on Fri, 6 December

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[Pathfinder]

Avian Influenza Update

6 th January 2025

National Disease Control Centre Number 1 of 2025

NDCC Avian Influenza Update No 1 of 2025

Avian influenza confirmed in a second wild buzzard in Ireland

• A case of avian influenza (H5N1) was confirmed on 30th December 2024 by the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, in a wild buzzard which had been found dead in Co. Dublin.

• This is the second confirmed case of the virus in a wild bird in Ireland during 2024. The first case was also detected in a buzzard, in Co. Galway earlier in the month (5th December 2024).

•Members of the public are advised not to handle sick or dead wild birds of any species.

• Pet owners are advised to keep dogs on a leash when walking where sick or dead wild birds are, or have been, present.
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https://www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https:...b87-4376-4dfc-a497-5dd925266abb.pdf#page=null
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HSE warns of danger of wild birds - Don’t touch sick or dead wild birds


Published: January 9, 2025

• The HSE is echoing advice from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) not to touch or handle any sick or dead wild birds, because of the risks of avian influenza.
• Two recent cases of avian influenza in wild birds means that the avian influenza virus is circulating in wild birds and has the potential to cause more wild bird death and illness.

Bird flu or avian influenza (AI) is a type of influenza that primarily affects wild birds and poultry, and which can also occasionally infect some mammals and humans. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is a type of AI that can cause high levels of illness and deaths in birds. Of the many strains of HPAI viruses, the H5N1 virus is widely regarded as the most serious for both birds and humans. Since 2003, there have been nearly 1,000 human cases of H5N1, half of whom have died.

After a period of low HPAI activity in Ireland, two separate cases of the H5N1 strain of HPAI have recently been identified in buzzards; one in the west of the country in early December and one in the east of the country in late December. These are the first wild bird detections in Ireland since September 2023 and are not unexpected since HPAI activity has been increasing across Europe, including several outbreaks on poultry farms in the UK in 2024.

Although is very unusual for people to catch bird flu, it can happen. Currently, it is hard to catch AI from a bird or animal, and there is no evidence that it can be passed between people, but if the virus mutates (changes) this may happen in the future. It is therefore important to prevent people getting H5N1, since:

1. It can - rarely - produce serious disease in people,
2. At this time of year, when there is a lot of seasonal flu around, mixing of AI and seasonal flu in a person could allow the virus to mutate and become better at spreading between people, and
3. If a person is infected with HPAI, it could be passed from people to Irish poultry flocks leading to severe disease among birds.

The HSE is reiterating the advice of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) to the public – namely:

• H5N1 HPAI virus is now circulating in wild birds in Ireland, and is now confirmed on both sides of the country, and
• The public are reminded not to touch sick or dead wild birds. DAFM requests that all sick/dead wild birds are reported via the Avian Check While not all dead birds will be collected for testing, reporting is greatly appreciated and provides important information to support surveillance and risk assessment activities.

In addition, if a person picks up or handles sick or dead wild birds that are found to be infected with AI, they will be monitored for a period of 10 days and may be offered antiviral medication and vaccination if they are considered to be at risk.

Further information on avian influenza is available from:

• HPSC – Avian Influenza
• HPSC – FAQs on Avian influenza
• HPSC – Bird Flu leaflet
• Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine – Bird Flu
• Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine – reporting dead birds
• Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine – advice for the general public

​https://www.hpsc.ie/news/title-24738-en.html#:~:text=Of%20the%20many%20strains%20of,hal f%20of%20whom%20have%20died.

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.donegaldaily.com/2025/01/20/latest-case-of-bird-flu-found-in-wild-bird-in-donegal/

Latest case of bird flu found in wild bird in Donegal
written by Staff Writer January 20, 2025

The third and latest case of avian influenza has been detected in a wild bird in Donegal.

The latest case of bird flu was found in the Bird in Donegal in recent days.

It is the third in Ireland since Minister for Agriculture introduced new strict biosecurity regulations for poultry on 6 December 2024.

The exact location of the bird in Donegal has not been disclosed.​..

 

[Lance]

​https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6287

 

[Pathfinder]

Press release

Minister Heydon advises the public and poultry farmers to be aware of the risks of avian influenza from wild sea birds, particularly along the west coast

• From: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
• Published on: 27 June 2025
• Last updated on: 27 June 2025

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, TD, has commented on recent detections of avian influenza in wild sea birds.

Minister Heydon said:

“In the past three weeks, there have been a number of reports of groups of dead wild sea birds washing up on shorelines in counties Kerry, Clare and Galway. In two instances, a wild sea bird which washed up on a beach tested positive for H5N1 avian influenza virus, with one case in Kerry and one in Galway.”​

The Minister reiterated the importance of taking precautions to protect public health:

“I have a clear message for the public, especially for those who may encounter dead birds on beaches this summer: Do not touch or pick up dead wild birds.”​

The Minister also reminded dog owners to:

“Keep pet dogs on a leash in areas where there are sick or dead wild birds”.​

Addressing poultry farmers in counties Kerry, Clare and Galway, the Minister said:

“All flock owners in these coastal areas, whether they have commercial farms or a few backyard hens, should implement stringent biosecurity measures to mitigate the risk of the disease spreading to their flocks. Strict biosecurity remains the single most important disease prevention measure. Report any suspicions of avian influenza to your local Regional Veterinary Office without delay.”​

Referring to the reports received from members of the public via the Department’s Avian Check app, the Minister said:

“I want to thank all those who have taken the time to submit a report to my Department about sightings of dead wild birds. This is citizen science in action to protect public and animal health.”​

The HSE-HPSC has advised that the risk to public health from the strain of avian influenza currently circulating (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza subtype H5N1) is considered low for the general public, and low to medium for occupationally exposed people.

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Notes to Editors


Advice for members of the public:

1. Do not touch sick or dead wild birds.
2. Do not touch wild bird feathers or droppings.
3. Avoid contact with surfaces contaminated with wild bird droppings.
4. Maintain good hand hygiene practices.
5. If you are travelling from an area known or suspected to be affected with avian influenza or where wild birds have been found dead, do not make contact with poultry or captive birds without prior cleaning and disinfection of clothing and footwear and do not bring sick wild birds’ home, particularly if you own or work with poultry or other captive birds.
6. Where handling sick or dead wild birds is unavoidable, you must wear gloves. Dispose of your gloves appropriately. If you do not have immediate access to a bin they should be placed inside a plastic bag and brought with you. Wash your hands and arms with hot soapy water afterwards.
7. Keep pet dogs on a leash in areas where there are sick or dead wild birds.

How to report sightings of sick or dead wild birds:

If you find a sick or dead wild bird which is included on the List of Target Species for Avian Influenza Surveillance, you can report it using the Avian Influenza Wild Bird reporting App (AvianCheck). Even where birds are not collected, reports of dead wild birds is important and useful to understand the disease situation in wild bird populations and to inform stakeholders of avian influenza risks. The AvianCheck App may be accessed via smart phones, tablets, PCs and laptops.

Further information and guidance is available at www.gov.ie/birdflu​

https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of...-sea-birds-particularly-along-the-west-coast/

 

[Pathfinder]

Avian Influenza Updates


2025

Avian Influenza Update No 9 of 2025
View the file
View

https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/publications/avian-influenza-bird-flu/#wild-birds-and-advice-for-the-public

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[Pathfinder]

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/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lough,_Cork
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Cork City Council Issues Bird Flu Confirmation and Advisory for The Lough Bird Sanctuary

23/09/2025

People visiting The Lough amenity in Cork city have been advised to avoid contact with sick or dead wild birds they might find there following confirmation of a number of cases of avian influenza at the wildfowl sanctuary.

A temporary ban on fishing has been introduced at the amenity and its bird feeder has been decommissioned temporarily, as a precaution.

Highly pathogenic Avian Influenza HPAI (H5N1), commonly known as bird flu, is currently circulating in wild birds, and has been detected following tests on a number of birds which were found dead at The Lough.

The following advice is being issued to anyone visiting the area on the city’s southside:

• Do not touch sick or dead wild birds, and do not handle bird feathers found in the area;
• Do not to bring sick wild birds home;
• Keep pets away from sick and dead wild birds - dogs should be kept on a leash where sick or dead wild birds are present.

Bird flu or avian influenza is a viral disease which affects the respiratory, digestive and/or nervous system of many species of wild birds and poultry.

It is highly contagious amongst birds and it is a notifiable animal disease.

It can also pose a threat to people and other animals in certain circumstances, but these types of infections are rare.

It is very unusual for people to catch bird flu.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has responsibly for avian influenza testing in Ireland.

The Lough is managed by Cork City Council.

The city council and the Cork Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (CSPCA) are providing expert advice to the DAFM in relation to the bird flu cases in wild birds at the Lough, and they are undertaking intensive monitoring and surveillance of the birds present there.

Agreed protocols are in place to ensure the swift removal of sick or dead birds from the area.

However, the avian influenza virus can survive for several weeks in the environment because the faeces of infected birds contains a high level of virus – an area can remain infective irrespective of whether bird carcasses are removed from an area or not.


The public can and should report any sick or dead birds to the city council, or to the DAFM via the local regional veterinary office by using the Avian Check Wild Bird App https://aviancheck.apps.services.agriculture.gov.ie/, or by contacting the National Disease Emergency Hotline 01 492 8026 (outside office hours).

...

https://www.corkcity.ie/en/council-...on-and-advisory-for-the-lough-bird-sanctuary/

 

[Pathfinder]

HSE warns of danger of wild birds - Don’t touch sick or dead wild birds

Published: October 6, 2025

• The HSE is echoing advice from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) not to touch or handle any sick or dead wild birds, because of the risks of avian influenza.
• Avoiding sick or dead wild birds is especially important during the winter months when the risk of avian influenza becomes higher.
• Sick/dead wild birds can be reported to DAFM via the Avian Check app.

Bird flu or avian influenza is a type of influenza that primarily affects wild birds and poultry, and which can also occasionally infect some mammals and humans. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is a type of avian influenza that can cause high levels of illness and deaths in birds. Of the many strains of HPAI viruses, the H5N1 virus is widely regarded as the most serious for both birds and humans. Since 2003, there have been nearly 1,000 human cases of H5N1, half of whom have died.

It is very unusual for people to catch bird flu but it can happen. Currently, it is hard to catch avian influenza from a bird or animal, and there is no evidence that it can be passed between people, but if the virus mutates (changes) this may happen in the future. It is therefore important to prevent people getting H5N1, since:

1. It can - rarely - produce serious disease in people,
2. Mixing of avian influenza and seasonal flu in a person could allow the virus to mutate and become better at spreading between people, and
3. If a person is infected with HPAI, it could be passed from people to Irish poultry flocks leading to severe disease among birds.

The HSE is reiterating the advice of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) to the public – namely:

• H5N1 HPAI virus is circulating in wild birds in Ireland, and
• The public are reminded:
  • Do not to touch sick or dead wild birds
  • Do not touch wild bird feathers or droppings
  • Avoid contact with surfaces contaminated with wild bird droppings

DAFM requests that all sick/dead wild birds are reported via the Avian Check app. While not all dead birds will be collected for testing, reporting is greatly appreciated and provides important information to support surveillance and risk assessment activities.

In addition, if a person picks up or handles sick or dead wild birds that are found to be infected with avian influenza, they will be monitored for a period of 10 days and may be offered antiviral medication and vaccination if they are considered to be at risk.

Further information on avian influenza is available from:
HPSC – Avian Influenza
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine – Bird Flu
Avian Check app
​

https://www.hpsc.ie/news/hse-warns-of-danger-of-wild-birds---dont-touch-sick-or-dead-wild-birds.html

 

[Commonground]

Samples from captive birds at Fota Wildlife Park test positive for bird flu

​ 14 Oct 2025​
Samples taken from captive birds that died at Fota Wildlife Park in Cork have tested positive for avian influenza, or bird flu, it has been confirmed.

Following a report from a vet at the park to the Department of Agriculture, samples from a number of captive birds that had died at Fota were tested for the bird flu virus in the department's veterinary laboratory in Backweston, Co Kildare.

Preliminary test results are positive for the H5N1 avian influenza virus, and further testing will be carried out tomorrow to determine pathogenicity.

It is understood the positive cases were from three dead geese and a fourth sick goose that were part of a flock of 20 at the park.

A veterinary epidemiological investigation is being carried out on site in Fota, and the results of this will inform decisions on the management of this situation.
​
Once the investigation is complete, a risk assessment will be carried out in relation to bird flu and either a protection zone of 3km or an exclusion zone of 10km could be implemented at the site.

Fota Wildlife Park is closed to the public until further notice.
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Continued: https://www.rte.ie/news/munster/2025/1014/1538567-bird-flu-fota-cork/

 

[Lance]

​https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6287