Avian Influenza Update No. 6 of 2025

Avian Influenza Update No. 6 of 2025 (pdf 557Kb) 

• While no outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have been detected in poultry in Ireland during 2024 or 2025 (to date), the confirmation in Northern Ireland of three avian influenza outbreaks on commercial poultry farms and one in captive birds, along with the continued circulation of the virus in wild birds across the island, shows that the risk to poultry flocks in Ireland remains high.

• 19 cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI H5N1, H5Nx) have been confirmed in wild birds in Ireland countrywide during January-March 2025.

• The Housing Order – S.I. No. 31/2025 - Avian Influenza (Precautionary Confinement of Birds and Restriction on Assembly of Live Birds) Regulations 2025 which came into force from Monday, 17^th February 2025 continues to remain in place.

• The  ‘best practice’ biosecurity measures as usually advised by the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine continue to remain mandatory for all poultry and captive bird keepers since 6^th December 2024 following the introduction of S.I. No. 666/2024 - Avian Influenza (Biosecurity Measures) Regulations 2024.

• The disease control zones implemented following HPAI H5N1 outbreaks in three commercial poultry premises in Northern Ireland have been lifted.
• The disease control zone in Dungannon was lifted on 26^th March 2025 and the disease control zones in Pomeroy and Cookstown were lifted on 1^st April 2025.

• Members of the public are reminded not to touch sick or dead wild birds.

• Poultry keepers are reminded to remain vigilant for any suspicions of avian influenza in their flocks, and to report such suspicions to their Regional Veterinary Office or the National Disease Emergency Hotline 01 492 8026 without delay.

Further information on avian influenza is available online on the DAFM website: gov.ie - Avian Influenza (bird flu)

Species: Avian