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Ireland - Avian influenza in poultry 2025

Pathfinder

Pathfinder

Editor, Senior Moderator
Press release

Minister Heydon announces a finding of avian influenza in a small backyard flock in Co. Donegal
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, has today announced that avian influenza has been detected in a small backyard flock in Co. Donegal. The Minister confirmed that there are no trade implications for the Irish poultry industry in relation to this detection, due to the very small size of the flock.

Minister Heydon said:
“A bird from a very small backyard flock in Co. Donegal has tested positive for the H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza, following a post-mortem examination carried out in my department’s Regional Veterinary Laboratory in Sligo. Following this result, the other birds in the flock have now been euthanised. I would like to extend my sympathies to the flock owner.”​

Moving to reassure poultry farmers and the Irish poultry industry, Minister Heydon stated:
“As this flock was very small and was not involved in commercial poultry activity, under the legislation this incident is not an outbreak of avian influenza. Therefore, this does not affect Ireland’s disease-free status in respect of avian influenza and there are no trade implications or restriction zones.”​

Emphasising the importance of biosecurity to protect poultry, the Minister said:
“Biosecurity is the single most effective way to prevent the virus spreading from wild birds into poultry, or between poultry flocks. This incident highlights the ongoing risk posed by avian influenza and is a reminder to all who keep poultry, whether commercial holdings or those who have some backyard hens, to stay aware and take precautions to prevent contact with or contamination from wild birds. Report any suspicions of avian influenza to your local Regional Veterinary Office without delay.”​

In recent weeks, there have been a number of cases of avian influenza detected in wild birds in Ireland, mainly sea birds in coastal areas. In 2025, a total of 41 cases of avian influenza in wild birds have been detected.

The Minister reiterated the importance of taking precautions to protect public health:
“I have a clear message for the public, especially for those who may encounter dead birds on beaches this summer: Do not touch or pick up dead wild birds, and keep pet dogs on a leash in areas where there are sick or dead wild birds.”​

The HSE-HPSC has advised that the risk to public health from the strain of avian influenza currently circulating (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza subtype H5N1) is considered low for the general public, and low to medium for occupationally exposed people.
Notes

Advice for members of the public
  1. Do not touch sick or dead wild birds.
  2. Do not touch wild bird feathers or droppings.
  3. Avoid contact with surfaces contaminated with wild bird droppings.
  4. Maintain good hand hygiene practices.
  5. If you are travelling from an area known or suspected to be affected with avian influenza or where wild birds have been found dead, do not make contact with poultry or captive birds without prior cleaning and disinfection of clothing and footwear and do not bring sick wild birds’ home, particularly if you own or work with poultry or other captive birds.
  6. Where handling sick or dead wild birds is unavoidable, you must wear gloves. Dispose of your gloves appropriately. If you do not have immediate access to a bin they should be placed inside a plastic bag and brought with you. Wash your hands and arms with hot soapy water afterwards.
  7. Keep pet dogs on a leash in areas where there are sick or dead wild birds.
How to report sightings of sick or dead wild birds


If you find a sick or dead wild bird which is included on the List of Target Species for Avian Influenza Surveillance, you can report it using the Avian Influenza Wild Bird reporting App (AvianCheck). Even where birds are not collected, reports of dead wild birds is important and useful to understand the disease situation in wild bird populations and to inform stakeholders of avian influenza risks. The AvianCheck App may be accessed via smart phones, tablets, PCs and laptops. Detection of avian influenza in wild birds


The 41 cases of avian influenza in wild birds in Ireland in 2025 include some pooled samples from groups of birds found dead together. Therefore, this does not mean that 41 individual birds have tested positive, as in some cases a positive pooled sample may contain material from several birds.

Further information and guidance is available at www.gov.ie/birdflu.
​

https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of...enza-in-a-small-backyard-flock-in-co-donegal/
 
Press release

Minister Heydon emphasises importance of biosecurity for poultry as a suspected outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza detected in Northern Ireland
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon T.D., has emphasised the need for all those with poultry and kept birds to implement the highest standards of biosecurity to protect their flocks from avian influenza. The Minister made his comments as a suspected outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza was detected in a large poultry flock in Omagh, Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland.


Minister Heydon said:
“As we enter into the winter months, the risk of avian influenza becomes higher. My message for anybody who has poultry or kept birds is clear: please take strict precautions and exercise the highest standards of biosecurity to protect your flocks from the threat of avian influenza, and to protect the poultry sector in Ireland. We know that this virus has been found this year in wild birds across Ireland. Biosecurity is the single most effective way to prevent the virus spreading from wild birds into poultry.”


“I want to express my support for Minister Andrew Muir and his Department in Northern Ireland who are dealing with this suspected outbreak of avian influenza and working hard to protect their poultry industry. My Department is in regular and close communication with their counterparts in Northern Ireland, and is keeping this situation under ongoing review.”​

The Minister emphasised the need for all those with poultry to register their flocks with the Department.
“It is vital that all poultry holdings are registered with my Department, whether commercial farms or those who have one or two backyard hens. It is a legal requirement, and it is also essential to help protect poultry flocks and farmers livelihoods from the impacts which an outbreak of this disease would bring”.​

In 2025, 41 cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been detected in wild birds in locations across Ireland, all but one of which were H5N1. One single outbreak of H5N1 occurred in a very small captive bird flock in Co. Donegal in July.

Members of the public are advised not to handle sick or dead wild birds and to report any episodes of sick or dead wild birds to their Regional Veterinary Office or, if outside business hours, to contact the National Disease Emergency Hotline on 01 492 8026. The Department continues to closely monitor and assess the disease situation and is in regular contact with industry stakeholders and counterparts in Northern Ireland.


Further information, including a detailed technical update, is available at www.gov.ie/birdflu.


Details on how to register a poultry flock may be found at Poultry Register
​

https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of...avian-influenza-detected-in-northern-ireland/
 
Source: https://www.kfmradio.com/news/local...lu-has-been-confirmed-in-carlow-turkey-flock/

Outbreak Of Bird Flu Has Been Confirmed In Carlow Turkey Flock
Tuesday, 4 November 2025 18:30
By Hannah Kelly

​Bird flu has been confirmed around a commercial turkey flock in Carlow.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and Kildare South TD Martin Heydon announced the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in a commercial turkey flock in Carlow.

As a consequence, restriction zones have been put in place around the holding (a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone).​..
 
Press release

Highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak confirmed in commercial turkey flock in Co. Carlow
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, has today announced an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in a commercial turkey flock in County Carlow. As a consequence, restriction zones have been put in place around the holding (a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone).

Minister Heydon said: “This outbreak is a reminder to us all of the importance of robust biosecurity. This is why I announced a biosecurity order that took effect last Saturday. Strict biosecurity is the best defence we have against the threat of avian influenza. Thankfully, the disease poses no food safety risk to consumers of well-cooked poultry products, including eggs.”

The HPAI H5N1 virus has been circulating widely in wild birds across the country during the past year and which recently caused an outbreak in a captive bird flock in County Cork. H5N1 has already recently been confirmed in a number of wild birds across the country, with over 40 cases this year to date. Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have also been identified in poultry flocks in several European countries and the United Kingdom this year.

Although avian influenza can be very contagious between birds, the HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HSE-HPSC) and the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) advise that the risk to public health from the strain of Avian Influenza that is circulating is very low. Notwithstanding, members of the public are, as always, advised not to handle sick or dead wild birds and to report sick or dead wild birds to the Department’s avian check app (AvianCheck).

The Department continues to urge all flock owners, regardless of flock size, to remain vigilant for signs of disease, implement and maintain strict biosecurity measures, and report any suspicion of disease to their local Regional Veterinary Office or if outside business hours, to contact the National Disease Emergency Hotline on 01 492 8026.

The Department continues to closely monitor and assess the evolving disease situation and remains in regular contact with industry stakeholders.

ENDS

Notes for Editor:
  • Compulsory biosecurity measures came into effect on Saturday, 1 November 2025, and are designed to prevent outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in poultry and captive birds. These regulations require specific biosecurity measures to be implemented by the keepers of all poultry (and other captive bird) flocks, irrespective of size, to help mitigate the risk of the virus, and additional enhanced biosecurity measures that must be implemented in flocks of 350 birds or more.
  • A protection zone (PZ) of at least 3km radius from the infected holding and a surveillance zone (SZ) of at least 10km radius have been put in place. A census of all holdings within the PZ and SZ will be conducted and procedures put in place to control movements of live poultry, other captive birds, hatching and table eggs, used litter, manure and slurry from poultry holdings. There is no requirement to control the movement of poultry feed except to “suspect” or “infected” premises. However, biosecurity measures apply to the movement of feed delivery vehicles between poultry farms in the Restriction Zones (PZ & SZ).
  • Clinical signs that poultry keepers should look for in their birds include a swollen head, discolouration of neck and throat, loss of appetite, respiratory distress, diarrhoea and fewer eggs laid – although these vary between species of bird.
  • If you suspect disease in your own flock, notify the nearest Regional Veterinary Office or ring the Avian Influenza Helpline: 01 607 2512 (Outside of Office hours: 01 492 8026).
  • If you find sick or dead wild birds such as wild ducks, wild geese, swans, gulls or birds of prey, do not handle the birds. Report the findings to the Department as above or the Avian Influenza Wild Bird reporting App (AvianCheck).
  • Further information avian influenza can be found on the Government website at www.gov.ie/birdflu
​https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of...rmed-in-commercial-turkey-flock-in-co-carlow/
 
Compulsory housing order following bird flu outbreaks

Updated / Wednesday, 5 Nov 2025 15:16
...
The housing order comes after the introduction of restriction zones around a commercial turkey farm in Co Carlow yesterday, after an outbreak of the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of bird flu there.
...
It is understood that the farm has a flock of around 500 turkeys.
...
It is the first outbreak of bird flu in a commercial poultry flock in Ireland since 2023, although the virus has been detected in more than 40 wild birds across the country this year.
...
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, National Chair of the IFA's Poultry Committee Nigel Sweetnam said the pattern of bird flu is changing and presents in a new form every year.

"It's a mutating disease and every year presents in a new form and new challenges. It arrived probably a month earlier than normal, and in different geographical locations, with two outbreaks in Cork, where we haven't seen it very much before.

"So it's all together, very, very worrying, and particularly for the farmer involved. It's his livelihood," Mr Sweetnam said.

He said the turkeys in Co Carlow had become infected by wild birds and the flock will now have to be euthanised.
...
https://www.rte.ie/news/2025/1105/1542257-avian-influenza-turkeys/
 
image.png
​https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6976
 
Source: https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2025/1105/1542257-avian-influenza-turkeys/


Bird flu outbreak confirmed at second commercial turkey farm
Updated / Wednesday, 5 Nov 2025 19:50​

Another outbreak of avian influenza, or bird flu, on a commercial turkey farm has been confirmed by the Department of Agriculture.

The latest cases of the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of the virus were detected in the flock on the farm near Kells, Co Meath​...
 
Press release

Second highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak confirmed in commercial turkey flock in Co. Meath
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, has confirmed a further outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in a commercial turkey flock near Kells, County Meath. Restriction zones have been established around the affected holding, comprising of a 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone in line with national and EU legislation. This follows confirmation of the disease in a flock in Co Carlow yesterday.

This development follows the Minister’s announcement earlier today of a mandatory housing order for all poultry and captive birds, which will take effect on Monday 10th November. These Regulations also include a ban on gatherings of birds from different premises to protect the birds from the risk of infection e.g. shows, fairs, sales.

Minister Heydon said:
“This second outbreak underlines the ongoing presence of avian influenza in wild birds across the country. The introduction of the housing order will further strengthen our national protection measures to help mitigate the ongoing risk. I want to thank poultry keepers for their continued cooperation and strong commitment to maintaining the highest standards of biosecurity during this high-risk period. Working together and following strict biosecurity procedures is the strongest defence to reduce the risk and safeguard our poultry sector.”​

The HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HSE-HPSC) and the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) advise that the risk to public health from the strain of Avian Influenza that is circulating is very low. Notwithstanding, members of the public are, as always, advised not to handle sick or dead wild birds and to report sick or dead wild birds to the Department’s avian check app (AvianCheck).

The Department reminds all flock owners, regardless of the flock size, to:
  • Comply fully with the housing and biosecurity regulations
  • Remain vigilant for sign of disease, and
  • Report any suspicions of avian influenza to their local regional veterinary office, or if outside business hours, to contact the National Disease Emergency Hotline on 01 492 8026
The Department continues to closely monitor developments closely, engage with industry stakeholders and take all necessary measures to mitigate the risk of avian influenza.



ENDS Notes for Editor:

Compulsory biosecurity measures came into effect on Saturday, 1 November 2025, and are designed to prevent outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in poultry and captive birds. These regulations require specific biosecurity measures to be implemented by the keepers of all poultry (and other captive bird) flocks, irrespective of size, to help mitigate the risk of the virus, and additional enhanced biosecurity measures that must be implemented in flocks of 350 birds or more.

A housing order for poultry comes into effect from Monday, 10 November 2025. Under these measures, Poultry and captive birds must be housed or confined in such a manner that they do not have access to other poultry, captive birds, or wild birds. In addition, it is not permitted to organise or take part in events which involve the assembly of live birds from different premises e.g. shows, fairs, markets or sales, in order to protect the birds themselves from the risk of becoming infected.

A protection zone (PZ) of at least 3km radius from the infected holding and a surveillance zone (SZ) of at least 10km radius have been put in place. A census of all holdings within the PZ and SZ will be conducted and procedures put in place to control movements of live poultry, other captive birds, hatching and table eggs, used litter, manure and slurry from poultry holdings. There is no requirement to control the movement of poultry feed except to “suspect” or “infected” premises. However, biosecurity measures apply to the movement of feed delivery vehicles between poultry farms in the Restriction Zones (PZ & SZ).

Clinical signs that poultry keepers should look for in their birds include a swollen head, discolouration of neck and throat, loss of appetite, respiratory distress, diarrhoea and fewer eggs laid – although these vary between species of bird.

If you suspect disease in your own flock, notify the nearest Regional Veterinary Office or ring the Avian Influenza Helpline: 01 607 2512 (Outside of Office hours: 01 492 8026)

If you find sick or dead wild birds such as wild ducks, wild geese, swans, gulls or birds of prey, do not handle the birds. Report the findings to the Department as above or the Avian Influenza Wild Bird reporting App (AvianCheck).

Further information avian influenza can be found on the Government website at www.gov.ie/birdflu
​
https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of...irmed-in-commercial-turkey-flock-in-co-meath/
 
Source: https://ca.news.yahoo.com/bird-flu-outbreak-confirmed-near-204741179.html

Bird flu outbreak confirmed near Northern Ireland border
Tony Bailie - BBC News NI
Mon, November 10, 2025 at 3:47 p.m. EST

A new outbreak of bird flu has been confirmed in the Republic of Ireland, close to the border with Northern Ireland.

The Republic's Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, says the further outbreak of havian influenza has been found in a commercial turkey flock near Clontibret, County Monaghan.

Clontibret is about one mile from the border with County Armagh in Northern Ireland.​..
 
Source: https://www.thejournal.ie/bird-flu-outbreak-confirmed-turkey-flock-cavan-6890550-Dec2025/

Fifth bird flu outbreak in under a month confirmed in Co Cavan turkey flock
The most recent outbreak in Cavan was confirmed today.
8.26pm, 1 Dec 2025

A BIRD FLU outbreak has been confirmed on a turkey flock in Cavan, bringing the number of outbreaks in the past month to five.

On 4 November, an outbreak of bird flu in a commercial turkey flock in Co Carlow.

Since then, further outbreaks have been confirmed on commercial turkey flocks in counties Meath, Monaghan, Laois, and now Cavan.

The most recent outbreak in Cavan was confirmed today.​..
 
Source: https://www.rte.ie/news/2025/1201/1546758-turkey-farm-bird-flu-outbreak/


Further bird flu outbreak detected on Cavan turkey farm
Updated / Wednesday, 3 Dec 2025 07:35​
By Aengus Cox

Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Correspondent

An outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu, has been detected on a turkey farm in Co Cavan.

The Department of Agriculture confirmed the outbreak today, and restriction and surveillance zones are in place around the site.

It comes as a housing order is in effect for all poultry, amid the heightened risk from bird flu.

This is the fifth outbreak of the disease in less than a month on a commercial poultry farm in the Republic of Ireland, while there have also been multiple cases confirmed on farms in Northern Ireland in recent weeks.

In early November, within the space of a week, three separate incidents of the disease were detected on turkey farms in Carlow, Meath, and Monaghan.

While on 21 November an outbreak was confirmed on a turkey farm in Laois...


​
 
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