The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland has initiated disease control measures following a suspected case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) at a commercial poultry premises near Pomeroy, Co Tyrone.

Chief veterinary officer for Northern Ireland Brian Dooher has taken the decision to introduce the measures based on a number of factors, including the clinical signs and preliminary results provided by the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI).

Appropriate disease control measures have been applied, including the humane culling of all poultry on the site and the introduction of temporary control zones (TCZ) to mitigate for onward disease spread.

ADVERTISEMENT

“The disease control measures are crucial to limit any potential spread of disease and I must stress the utmost importance of ensuring continuous excellent levels of biosecurity and reporting any suspect cases of avian flu to DAERA immediately,” said Dooher.

Low risk

The Public Health Agency said that the risk to the general public’s health is very low as a result of the case.

Members of the public are encouraged to report dead waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks), gulls or five or more dead wild birds of other species in the same location via the DAERA dead wild bird online reporting tool.