Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 July 2022
349. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the presence of avian flu in Ireland; the number of birds culled having contracted or having been suspected of contracting avian flu since 2018; if his attention has been drawn to a particularly virulent strain that appears to be present in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36939/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Ireland, the high-risk period for Avian Influenza generally runs from October until April, coinciding with the movement of wild migratory birds which are the natural reservoir of Avian Influenza viruses.
The table below sets out the number of outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in each of the years 2018 to 2022
|
Year |
Number of outbreaks of HPAI |
|
2018 |
0 |
|
2019 |
0 |
|
2020 |
1 outbreak of HPAI H5N8 |
|
2021 |
6 outbreaks of HPAI H5N1 |
|
2022 |
0 |
Where HPAI is confirmed my Department carries out a rapid and effective disease control programme to control the outbreaks and eradicate the virus on the infected premises. A rapid stamping out policy was implemented on all infected premises, followed by implementation of all necessary disposal, cleaning and disinfection protocols. My Department depopulated approximately 30,000 birds in 2020 and approximately 200,000 in 2021 as part of this disease control process.
In relation to the monitoring of avian influenza in wild birds, my Department operates a monitoring programme throughout the year. The first wild bird case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Ireland during the past Avian Influenza season was confirmed on November 3rd 2021 in a peregrine falcon submitted to Limerick Regional Veterinary Laboratory. Following confirmation of the presence of disease, DAFM reinforced its online and social media awareness campaigns to alert poultry stakeholders and the wider public of the presence of circulating virus, and the appropriate measures to take as a result.
A total of 85 wild bird positives have been confirmed during the high-risk period between November 2021 and April 2022 across 16 counties. There has only been one additional confirmed case of H5N1 in a wild bird since April 2022. The Department continues to submit wild birds to its laboratories for Avian Influenza testing.
My Department liaises closely with the authorities in the UK and elsewhere in relation to monitoring and controlling avian influenza outbreaks.
