The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has established a three-kilometre control zone around a nature reserve in Co Derry after a number of captive birds tested positive for avian flu.
Officials said that only a small number of birds at the site in Magherafelt have tested positive, however all the remaining birds located there will now be culled.
The avian flu has not infected any of the commercial bird population, but flock keepers have been urged to take action to prevent any further outbreaks.
What is bird flu?
According to the RSPB, avian flu is a type of influenza which affects poultry and wild birds.
⚠️Captive Bird Temporary Control Zone in place following initial results of Avian Influenza outside Magherafelt. More info: https://t.co/KDaap7Yyf1 @AndrewMuirNI @britishpoultry @LMCNI @RuralCommNet @YFCUPresident @FarmingLifeNI @FJNorth @AgrilandIreland @nibusinessinfo @CSLNI pic.twitter.com/7VRPW5tqgF
— DAERA (@daera_ni) February 7, 2025
Just like for humans, symptoms vary with different strains and most strains don’t cause any symptoms at all.
However, the strain which has impacted the site in Magherafelt is the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), which often ends in birds dying.
Can humans get bird flu?
Humans can get infected with bird flu; however, this is rare.
The risk to the public of contracting bird flu is low.
People generally only can get infected with bird flu if they have been in close contact with an infected bird – this includes touching infected birds (either dead or alive), their droppings or bedding, or killing and preparing infected birds for cooking.
It is extremely unlikely that bird flu could be transmitted to people by feeding birds. Nevertheless, good hygiene at bird feeding stations is always sensible, both to protect the birds and ourselves.
— RSPB (@Natures_Voice) October 27, 2022
It’s important to remember that bird flu can’t be spread through properly cooked food – this includes poultry and eggs.
There are currently no outbreaks amongst Northern Ireland’s commercial bird population.
What are flock keepers being asked to do?
Environment Minister Andrew Muir has advised flock keepers to review and enhance their biosecurity measures to protect their birds.
“No captive bird site or poultry premises is immune from a potential incursion of this terrible disease, and it is of paramount importance that all bird keepers take appropriate action now to review and enhance their biosecurity measures to protect their birds from this highly infectious disease,” Mr Muir said.
