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A case of non-notifiable bird flu has been identified in a commercial poultry flock in Co Monaghan, the Department of Agriculture has confirmed to the Irish Farmers Journal.
The disease has been found at a number of sites in Northern Ireland. This is the first case to be confirmed in the Republic.
“The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has confirmed the identification of low pathogenic avian influenza of the H6N1 subtype in a commercial poultry flock in County Monaghan.
“This subtype of avian influenza is not a notifiable disease and has no known public health risk nor international trade implications,” a Department spokesperson said.
The movement of poultry and poultry products on to and from the farm were subject to restriction while an investigation into the disease episode was under way.
Movement restrictions currently remain in place as a precautionary measure to mitigate against the spread of this disease to other locations.
The Department will be liaising with the flock owner with a view to minimising the risk of disease spread from the farm.
Two other flocks being investigated
In addition to this flock, the Department told the Irish Farmers Journal that it is investigating two more flocks in the Monaghan area for avian influenza.
“In both cases, the presenting clinical signs and preliminary laboratory results are such that low pathogenic H6N1 is likely to be the disease agent involved.
“Similar outbreaks of low pathogenic H6N1 avian influenza have been identified in Northern Ireland, Scotland and England over recent weeks.”
Biosecurity
While the situation in Monaghan is related to a non-notifiable strain of avian influenza, the Department has said it is a timely reminder of the importance of ensuring high standards of biosecurity in poultry flocks.
The Department is urging all poultry owners, including backyard flock owners, to be vigilant and to implement strict biosecurity on their premises, particularly by ensuring only essential personnel, vehicles and equipment have access to their flocks and minimising contact between poultry and wild birds.
Flock owners should also regularly monitor their birds for signs of disease
“Flock owners should also regularly monitor their birds for signs of disease. If they suspect avian influenza, they must report it immediately to their veterinarian or to one of the Department’s regional veterinary offices.
“It should be noted that there have also been a number of outbreaks of the notifiable H5N8 strain of avian influenza in central Europe and the number of outbreaks has been steadily increasing in the last few weeks, with outbreaks now reported in seven countries.
“Note that anyone who keeps poultry, even only one or two birds, in Ireland must register their premises with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine,” the spokesperson said.
The Department did not confirm whether compensation was available to farmers who had to cull birds.
Northern Ireland situation
Meanwhile, avian influenza has been confirmed in 11 poultry units in Northern Ireland. All confirmed cases are the low pathogenic H6N1 strain of avian influenza, which is classified as a non-notifiable disease.
Since 2 January 2020, there have been 23 suspected cases of bird flu reported to DAERA.
“Avian influenza has been ruled out in 11 cases. Tests are ongoing for the remaining site,” the department spokesperson said.
The non-notifiable status of the H6N1 strain means that de-population of infected poultry units is not compulsory, but compensation is not available for producers who cull birds in Northern Ireland.
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