Wild Birds – Surveillance
DAERA collects some dead wild birds for Avian Influenza (AI) surveillance purposes to help understand if and when the virus is present in Northern Ireland and how it is distributed geographically. Once HPAI has been detected in a specific area, further testing is not required and therefore, not all birds will be collected. As a result of the wild bird HPAI H5N1 findings in Northern Ireland, and the evidence of widespread infection, DAERA surveillance of wild birds was paused temporarily.
Surveillance has now been resumed and dead birds will be collected beginning 3 April 2022.
If you find dead waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or other dead wild birds, such as gulls or birds of prey, you should report them to the DAERA helpline on 0300 200 7840.
Do not pick up or touch any dead or visibly sick birds that you find. For further information see our 'Advice for the Public' section below.
Disposal of dead wild birds at domestic premises
If you find any other single dead birds, including garden birds, you do not need to call the DAERA Helpline.
Current advice from the Public Health Agency is not to touch or pick up dead birds. However, if dead birds need to be disposed of:
- if possible, wear disposable protective gloves when picking up and handling dead wild birds (if disposable gloves are not available, a plastic bag can be used as a make-shift glove).
- place the dead wild bird in a suitable plastic bag, preferably leak proof. Care should be taken not to contaminate the outside of the bag
- tie the bag and place it in a second plastic bag
- remove gloves by turning them inside out and then place them in the second plastic bag. Tie the bag and dispose of it in the normal household refuse bin
Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap after coming into contact with any animal and do not touch any sick or dead birds. You should wash hands, nails and forearms thoroughly with soap and water after handling the carcase.
Animals that are considered wild, that being they are not under the care or control of any person, are not required under legislation to be provided for in terms of immediate veterinary treatment nor intervention from landowners.
Disposal of dead wild birds on public land
Where dead wild birds are not required for surveillance purposes, the routine collection of dead birds rests with the landowner. Where dead birds are on public land, it is the responsibility of the landowner to safely dispose of the carcases. DAERA officials have been working closely with local councils in relation to dead wild birds found on their lands and their responsibilities as landowners. Any decisions in that regard is for the council in conjunction with the Public Health Agency (PHA).
DAERA officials remain available to provide advice as and when required.
Animals that are considered wild, that being they are not under the care or control of any person, are not required under legislation to be provided for in terms of immediate veterinary treatment nor intervention from landowners.
Wild bird cases
Details of the latest avian influenza findings in wild birds in Europe and the UK can be found in the outbreak assessments available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/avian-influenza-bird-flu-in-europe
Advice for the Public
The Public Health Agency (PHA) has advised that human infections with AI are rare as it is primarily a disease of birds and the risk to the health of the general public is very low.
The current guidelines from the PHA are as follows:
- 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; and,
- maintain good personal hygiene with regular hand washing with soap and use of alcohol-based hand rubs.
For more information, please see the PHA website.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has also advised, in avian influenza incursions of this type, that there is a very low risk to public health from the consumption of properly cooked poultry meat or eggs provided appropriate hygiene measures are followed.
Avian influenza is unconnected with coronavirus (Covid-19).
Further information is available at www.daera-ni.gov.uk/ai