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Heading 2 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.
Heading 3 Surveillance resumed
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.
Heading 4 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.
Heading 2 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
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