Bird flu found in swans in five places across Northern Ireland

Bird flu has been detected in swans at five locations in Northern Ireland.

The discoveries in Belfast, Newtownards, Armagh, Newry and Dungannon follow four confirmed cases in kept birds across Northern Ireland.

Earlier this month, a mandatory housing order for flock keepers was announced following reports of suspected cases of bird flu.

A spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) said that Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) had been detected in the swans.

Daera collects dead wild birds for surveillance purposes to help understand if, and when the virus is present in Northern Ireland and how it is distributed geographically.

Daera explained that once HPAI has been detected in a specific area, further testing is not required and therefore, not all birds will be collected.

“Reports will be assessed and a decision made on whether to collect and sample the carcase,” they said.

The department advised that if you find dead wild birds, then you can report them to Daera via their website.

The Public Health Agency (PHA), advises that human infections with HPAI are rare and the risk to the health of the public is very low.

The current PHA guidelines are:

• Do not pick up or touch sick, dying or dead poultry or wild birds, and keep pets away from them.

• Avoid contact with surfaces contaminated with bird faeces.

• Avoid untreated bird feathers (such as those found in the environment) and other bird waste.

• Maintain good personal hygiene with regular hand washing with soap and use of alcohol-based hand rubs.

The Food Standards Agency advises that bird flu poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers, and that properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.