A FRESH CASE of non-notifiable avian influenza has been confirmed in the Republic of Ireland, with three more suspected.
It is thought to be related to the H6N1 low-path strain that has been confirmed across the UK in recent weeks.
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The latest case is a Galway-based egg business. Three more farms are under investigation in the Co Monaghan area.
On these farms, the presenting clinical signs and preliminary laboratory results are such that low pathogenic H6N1 is likely to be the disease agent involved, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine said.
Movement restrictions
Officials added they were working with the affected business to help minimise the risk of spread to other farms.
“Movement of poultry and poultry products onto and from the farm were subject to restriction whilst an investigation into the disease episode was underway,” they said.
“Movement restrictions currently remain in place as a precautionary measure to mitigate against the spread of this disease to other locations.”
UK situation
In the UK, non-notifiable avian influenza has been confirmed on two farms in Scotland, according to the Scottish Government.
Defra said that one case had been confirmed on a Shropshire farm, but that it did not routinely comment on individual cases of non-notifiable avian influenza.
Only H5 or H7 avian influenza are notifiable diseases with legal frameworks for control and compensation.
Once an infection has been confirmed as non-notifiable, responsibility for control falls to the business owner, rather than the government.
