Flap On Over Latest Bird Flu Alert

Just months after a wild life reserve was identified as a source of the High Pathogenic Avian Flu in a Dorset facility - with the Government's agricultural department brought in to contain the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu - the NI Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew, has now asked all local bird keepers to be alert for fresh signs of the disease here.

Her appeal is in response to confirmation of a further outbreak of the pathogen at a poultry farm in Oxfordshire.

However, the Minister has also assured bird keepers that her department has been liaising closely with the GB equivalent, Defra, to monitor the situation and said they will continue to do so as further test results are received. Tests so far indicate that the strain is H7.

Speaking about the Oxfordshire outbreak, the Minister said: "As more information becomes available I will reassess what actions we need to take to protect the North.

"I am not, at the minute, requiring birds to be housed but we will keep this position under review."

Emphasising the importance of good biosecurity, Ms Gildernew added: "It is important that bird keepers remain vigilant for signs of disease and observe high levels of bio-security, so that together we can keep the risk to a minimum.

"Keepers should contact their private veterinary practitioner if they detect signs of disease."

She also said that DARD is continuing its local programme of surveillance of wild birds and again confirmed that, to date no highly pathogenic Avian Flu virus has been isolated here.

The department has an Avian Flu contingency plan in place, which would be invoked in the event of an outbreak here.

DARD will keep the situation closely under review in conjunction with stakeholders and will also continue to work closely with Defra and the Department of Agriculture and Food in Dublin.

It was also stressed that there is no reason for public health concern.

Avian influenza is a disease of birds, and whilst it can pass very rarely and with difficulty to humans, this requires extremely close contact with infected birds, particularly faeces.

Advice from the Food Standards Agency remains that properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.

See: Restrictions Follow Bird Flu Outbreak

(BMcC)