The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has actually released a brand-new digital method for the reporting of dead wild birds in a quote to even more boost the Northern Ireland Avian Influenza (AI) monitoring program.
The brand-new online form on the DAERA website will make it a lot easier for the general public to report any sightings of dead wild birds, which in turn assists DAERA to comprehend where the infection is and take the suitable procedures to reduce any threat to poultry flocks. The brand-new form is desktop and mobile suitable and permits users to properly offer the place utilizing GPS.
Chief Veterinary Officer for Northern Ireland, Dr. Robert Huey said: “The reporting of dead wild birds by the public is an essential element of the Department’s Avian Influenza monitoring program and assists us comprehend if the infection exists in Northern Ireland and how it is dispersed geographically.
“Previously, dead waterfowl (swans, geese, or ducks) or other wild birds, such as gulls or birds of victim, were reported to the DAERA helpline, however this brand-new online technique will make it much faster and much easier for findings to be reported and will significantly boost the wild bird monitoring program.
“The public’s continuing help is vital and I encourage anyone who comes across a dead wild bird to report it through the website on their computer or mobile device as soon as possible.”
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 continues to be spotted in wild birds throughout Northern Ireland in numerous areas most especially in Black Headed Gull breeding nests.
Dr Huey continued: “Considering the most recent HPAI verifications in wild birds, there is now an increasing probability of attack into kept flocks. I wish to take this chance to advise all birdkeepers that it is a legal requirement to register your birds. This uses to all birds other than those kept in your own home. This is to allow the Department to offer you with current details about Avian Influenza and the procedures you can require to avoid infect your birds.
“The threat of an Avian Influenza attack to poultry stays and the illness, as soon as in poultry flocks, has a terrible influence on our regional market. It is for that reason essential to preserve high levels of biosecurity as private website biosecurity stays an essential mitigation aspect. A self-assessment biosecurity list and assistance has actually been established to help poultry keepers and is available on the DAERA website.
“Guidance ought to be complied with as much as is almost possible to keep your birds safe and help avoid the spread of illness from wild birds, or another source, to poultry.
“Officials continue to closely monitor the situation across the UK and the Republic of Ireland to determine the risk level to poultry flocks in Northern Ireland and will keep under review all tools available in our efforts to prevent any incursion into our local flocks. The ongoing cooperation and assistance of all birdkeeprs is key to this.”
For additional details on what to do if you discover a dead wild bird and a link to the brand-new online reporting tool please see the Wild Birds and Advice for the Public area on the DAERA Avian Influenza center.
DAERA will gather some dead wild birds for Avian Influenza monitoring functions, nevertheless as soon as HPAI has actually been spotted in a particular location, additional screening is not needed and for that reason, not all birds will be gathered. It is the duty of landowners to get rid of securely of dead birds discovered on their properties and additional details is available on the DAERA website.
Notes to editors:
- Once illness has actually been spotted in a particular location, additional screening is not needed and for that reason not all birds will be gathered.
- DAERA likewise motivates all birdkeepers to sign up for the AI text alert service which will provide instant notice of any crucial illness details.
- Follow DAERA on Twitter at and Facebook.
- All media inquiries ought to be directed to the DAERA Press Office: [email protected] or phone 02890 524619.
- The Executive Information Service runs an out of hours’ service for media queries just in between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public vacations. The responsibility press officer can be called on 028 9037 8110.
Share this page
