| Disease name |
Infection with avian influenza viruses |
| Animal Health Law Category if applicable |
E, D, A |
| Species affected |
Avian |
| Description |
Avian influenza (AI) viruses infect domestic poultry as well as pet, zoo, and wild birds. In domestic poultry, AI viruses are typically of low pathogenicity (LPAI), causing subclinical infections, respiratory disease, or drops in egg production. However, a few AI viruses cause severe systemic infections with high mortality. This highly pathogenic (HPAI) form of the disease has historically been called fowl plague. AI viruses (both LPAI and HPAI) can occasionally affect humans, but usually after close contact with infected birds has occurred. |
| Status in Ireland |
Present in wildlife |
| Date of Last known case of disease in Ireland |
9 cases of LPAI H6N1 in Ireland from January to April 2020, 3 wild birds tested positive for H5N6 in 2018. Last case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in domestic poultry in 1983. |
| DAFM Division Responsible |
NDCC & Border Inspection Posts |
| Contact |
ndcc@agriculture.gov.ie |
| Legislation |
|
| Link to relevant external website |
|
| Notifiable in Ireland |
Yes |
| WOAH Listed |
Yes |
| WOAH Link |
https://www.woah.org/en/disease/avian-influenza/ |
| Publications |
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