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In Memoriam
Minister urges our poultry keepers to be extra vigilant
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
By Linda McKee
Agriculture minister Michelle Gildernew last night urged poultry keepers to remain vigilant for signs of disease after the avian flu outbreak in Suffolk was confirmed as the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain.
The minister stopped short of placing restrictions on poultry keepers in Northern Ireland but banned the movement of birds from Britain to attend bird gatherings here and tightened the rules on importation of poultry, captive birds and poultry products, including meat and table eggs.
All live bird imports from Britain for the last month have been traced, the minister told reporters last night.
"There were 17 consignments over the month, including 14 of day-olds, two of hatching eggs and one of breeding ducks, none of which came from the area... affected," she said.
"My objective is to ensure our response is effective and proportionate. At this time it is not necessary to require the housing of birds [or] cancel bird gatherings.
"Bird gatherings continue to be permitted, including fairs, markets, shows, exhibitions and pigeon races."
All general licences for importing poultry, poultry products and captive birds have been revoked and specific and general licensing arrangements were put in place from yesterday.
Last night scientists had not yet traced the source of the H5N1 virus but the minister said infection from wild birds remained a possibility.
She expressed concern that infected individuals could be among migrating birds making their way to Northern Ireland from affected areas.
There have been outbreaks in Germany, France and the Czech Republic but the closest case of a human contracting the disease was in Romania.
"There is little we can do about migrating bird patterns from areas where avian influenza is present. We are doing what we can but one infected swan could be in Strangford Lough now," Ms Gildernew said.
However, she stressed that there is no reason for public health concern and the chances of humans contracting the disease remain very low.
"It is important that bird keepers remain vigilant for signs of disease and observe high levels of biosecurity, so that together we can keep the risk to a minimum," she said.
"Keepers should contact their vet if they detect signs of disease. Bird keepers should feed and water their birds under cover in order to minimise the risk of contact with wild birds and anyone keeping birds outdoors must have a clear plan for housing or separating their birds in the event of a heightened risk to the north.
"DARD is continuing its surveillance of wild birds. To date no highly pathogenic avian flu virus has been isolated here."
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/article3157874.ece
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
By Linda McKee
Agriculture minister Michelle Gildernew last night urged poultry keepers to remain vigilant for signs of disease after the avian flu outbreak in Suffolk was confirmed as the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain.
The minister stopped short of placing restrictions on poultry keepers in Northern Ireland but banned the movement of birds from Britain to attend bird gatherings here and tightened the rules on importation of poultry, captive birds and poultry products, including meat and table eggs.
All live bird imports from Britain for the last month have been traced, the minister told reporters last night.
"There were 17 consignments over the month, including 14 of day-olds, two of hatching eggs and one of breeding ducks, none of which came from the area... affected," she said.
"My objective is to ensure our response is effective and proportionate. At this time it is not necessary to require the housing of birds [or] cancel bird gatherings.
"Bird gatherings continue to be permitted, including fairs, markets, shows, exhibitions and pigeon races."
All general licences for importing poultry, poultry products and captive birds have been revoked and specific and general licensing arrangements were put in place from yesterday.
Last night scientists had not yet traced the source of the H5N1 virus but the minister said infection from wild birds remained a possibility.
She expressed concern that infected individuals could be among migrating birds making their way to Northern Ireland from affected areas.
There have been outbreaks in Germany, France and the Czech Republic but the closest case of a human contracting the disease was in Romania.
"There is little we can do about migrating bird patterns from areas where avian influenza is present. We are doing what we can but one infected swan could be in Strangford Lough now," Ms Gildernew said.
However, she stressed that there is no reason for public health concern and the chances of humans contracting the disease remain very low.
"It is important that bird keepers remain vigilant for signs of disease and observe high levels of biosecurity, so that together we can keep the risk to a minimum," she said.
"Keepers should contact their vet if they detect signs of disease. Bird keepers should feed and water their birds under cover in order to minimise the risk of contact with wild birds and anyone keeping birds outdoors must have a clear plan for housing or separating their birds in the event of a heightened risk to the north.
"DARD is continuing its surveillance of wild birds. To date no highly pathogenic avian flu virus has been isolated here."
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/article3157874.ece