January 5, 2021

 

30,000 birds in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, to be culled following bird flu outbreak

 

  

30,000 birds in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom, are to be culled as a precautionary measure following an outbreak of bird flu, BBC reported early this month.

 

It is the first time the disease has been detected in a commercial flock in Northern Ireland since 1998.

 

The outbreak affected a business rearing young hens for egg production and it is understood there are other poultry farms in the area. It will mean certain movement restrictions in 3km and 10km protection zones around the affected farm, with potential trade implications for other poultry businesses there.

 

Restrictions were put in place earlier in the winter in an attempt to prevent transmission to commercial flocks which make up a key part of Northern Ireland's important agri-food industry.

 

Poultry products from outside the restricted zone can continue to be traded with EU member states and products from within the zones can be sold on home markets.

 

Since December 23, there has been a requirement for all poultry flocks, no matter how small, to be housed.

 

Public health advice is that bird flu- or avian influenza - poses a low risk to human health and the Food Standards Agency advises that it does not present a food risk.

 

The disease has been detected in a number of wild birds in Northern Ireland this winter and in commercial flocks in both Great Britain and in the Republic of Ireland.

 

Northern Ireland's chief vet Robert Huey repeated his message for poultry owners to apply rigorous biosecurity measures.

 

"Given the level of suspicion and the density of the poultry population around the holding, it is vital that as a matter of precaution, we act now and act fast," he said.

 

"I have therefore taken the decision to cull the birds as well as introduce temporary control zones around the holding in an effort to protect our poultry industry and stop the spread of the virus.

 

"An epidemiological investigation is under way to determine the likely source of infection and determine the risk of disease spread."

 

- BBC