Latest Situation
You can find information on the latest situation below.
15 February 2025
A Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) has been established around a commercial poultry premises near Dungannon, County Tyrone following preliminary positive results for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.
The Chief Veterinary Officer for Northern Ireland (NI), Brian Dooher, has taken the decision based on number of factors including the clinical signs and preliminary results provided by the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI).
The TCZ comprises a 3km TCZ-A and a 10km TCZ-B. The TCZ declaration which details all the measures that must be adhered to within the 3km and 10km zone can be accessed here.
A Press Release issued by DAERA on this developing situation can be accessed here.
13 February 2025
Following official laboratory confirmation, the Chief Veterinary Officer for Northern Ireland has confirmed that Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 is present at a captive bird premises in Magherafelt, County Londonderry.
A 3km Captive Bird Monitoring Controlled Zone has been established around the affected premises. This replaces the Captive Bird Temporary Control Zone that was declared around the premises on the 07 February 2025.
A copy of the Captive Bird Monitoring Controlled Zone declaration, which details all the measures that must be adhered to within the 3km zone is available here.
12 February 2025
Mandatory housing measures for all kept birds and poultry are to come into force across Northern Ireland (NI) from 00:01 on Monday 17 February 2025.
This is to mitigate against any incursion of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) into our domestic poultry sector.
The housing order, implemented by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), legally requires all bird keepers, including owners of pet birds, commercial flocks, backyard and hobby flocks, to keep their birds indoors or otherwise separate from wild birds. The move is part of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) in Northern Ireland, introduced on 18 January 2025.
In addition, a ban on the gatherings of galliforme (including pheasants, partridge, quail, chickens, turkey, guinea fowl), anseriforme (including ducks, geese, swans) and poultry will be implemented in conjunction with this housing order.
Further details can be accessed at the Press Release here.
A copy of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone Declaration effective can be accessed here.
A copy of a General Licence (AIPM 66) (effective from 00:01 on Monday 17 February 2025) for what bird gatherings can take place under the AIPZ is available here.
07 February 2025
DAERA has introduced a 3km Captive Bird Temporary Control Zone (CBTCZ) around a captive bird premises outside Magherafelt, County Londonderry, following the receipt of preliminary positive results of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1.
Further details can be accessed at the Press Release here.
A copy of the Captive Bird Temporary Control Zone (CBTCZ) Declaration, which details all the requirements that must be adhered to by poultry and other captive bird keepers within the 3km CBTCZ can be viewed here.
17 January 2025
An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) has been introduced in Northern from 12:00 noon on Saturday 18 January 2025.
Further details can be found here.
16 January 2025
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 has been confirmed in a wild goose found near Black Lough, Dungannon, County Tyrone. This is the first wild bird positive in Northern Ireland since September 2023.
Excellent biosecurity remains the best defence for reducing the risk of transmission of avian influenza to poultry or other captive birds. Please see our Biosecurity Checklist and Biosecurity Guidance to protect your flock.
5 November 2024
On Tuesday 5 November 2024, the UK Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) confirmed Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N5 in a commercial poultry unit near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, Yorkshire.
This is the first confirmed case of avian influenza in kept poultry in Great Britain since February 2024.
Further information can be found here.
A DAERA press release regarding this confirmed case can be found here.