Thousands of birds being culled in Tyrone

Some 64,000 birds are being culled in County Tyrone after suspected avian flu was reported at a business poultry premises.

The Division of Agriculture, Surroundings and Rural Affairs (Daera) was notified concerning the suspected case at a enterprise in Dungannon on Friday.

Minister Andrew Muir mentioned after additional investigation applicable illness management measures had been put in place, together with the “humane culling of all poultry on website”.

He mentioned it was a “precautionary measure”.

Daera Veterinary Officer Ignatius McKeown mentioned the division was “involved” as, if confirmed, it’s “a serious illness breakout in a extremely concentrated poultry space of Northern Eire.”

The illness was first detected on the Agri-Meals and Biosciences Institute in Belfast however additional testing has to happen for affirmation.

Mr McKeown mentioned that the culling of 64,000 birds on the farm had already begun.

He confirmed there have been no different farms affected.

“The Dungannon space has the primary focus of poultry in Northern Eire,” he mentioned, including that the poultry business was crucial in NI.

“The division will take care of it as rapidly and effectively as doable,” he mentioned.

If confirmed, it will likely be the primary outbreak since December 2022 in a business farm.

“This suspected incursion of HPAI, following the not too long ago confirmed case at a captive fowl premises close to Magherafelt additional exhibits we can not afford to be complacent,” he added.

Non permanent management zones (TCZ) are additionally in place to mitigate any additional unfold of the illness.

Chief veterinary officer for Northern Eire, Brian Dooher, appealed to all fowl house owners, each “yard and business”, to take mandatory steps to guard flocks.

“This consists of guaranteeing steady glorious ranges of biosecurity and adhering to all the necessities mandated underneath the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ),” he mentioned.

“Samples from the contaminated premises have been despatched to the Nationwide Reference Laboratory to substantiate pressure and pathogenicity. Ought to HPAI be formally confirmed, these TCZs shall be revoked and changed with a 3 kilometre Safety Zone (PZ) and 10 kilometre Surveillance Zone (SZ),” he added.