Nationwide Order to Confine Poultry as Bird Flu Risk Rises in Ireland

Dublin: The Irish government has ordered all poultry farms across the country to confine chickens and other birds indoors starting today, following a surge in avian influenza cases.

The Department of Agriculture announced the emergency measure last week, citing an increased risk of bird flu after two separate commercial turkey farms tested positive for the virus. The decision aims to prevent further spread and protect Ireland’s poultry industry.

The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 strain was confirmed on a farm in County Carlow on Tuesday and on another in Kilskyre, County Meath, on Wednesday. In response, the department established three-kilometre protection zones and ten-kilometre surveillance zones around both affected sites. These are the first confirmed cases on commercial poultry farms in Ireland in two years.

A similar situation has been reported in Northern Ireland, where poultry confinement measures were introduced last Thursday. On Friday, bird flu outbreaks were confirmed on two farms in Counties Fermanagh and Tyrone, with laboratory tests also identifying the H5N1 strain.

Authorities have urged all poultry owners—both commercial and domestic—to implement strict biosecurity protocols, including limiting farm access, disinfecting equipment, and preventing wild bird contact.

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