Northern Ireland declared free from bird flu

Northern Ireland has been declared as free from highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu), according to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).

WOAH approved and published this UK self-declaration of the recovery of freedom from bird flu infection in poultry for the zone of Northern Ireland.

The announcement was made by WOAH on February 11, however the starting date for self-declaration is January 5.

The declaration was approved following the last remaining surveillance zone being lifted in Northern Ireland on January 4, which was originally put in place as a result of a bird flu outbreak on a commercial poultry premises in Co. Cavan.

Bird flu

A total of four bird flu outbreaks were confirmed in Northern Ireland between October and November 2025.

According to the declaration, these outbreaks occurred in layers, broiler breeders, turkeys and a backyard hobby flock.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) stated that while the freedom from bird flu is “welcome news”, it is important for bird keepers “to not become complacent.”

“Optimum levels of biosecurity should be adhered to as best practice, to protect our poultry flocks from this deadly disease,” DAERA added.

Ireland

Separately, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon has confirmed that Ireland is also free from from bird flu last month.

The minister said that WOAH published Ireland’s self-declaration of freedom from the disease last month, with an effective date of January 1.

He said: “This publication means that Ireland has regained its status regarding ‘Freedom from HPAI’.

“It is a real credit to our poultry industry and my department, and I want to acknowledge the effort involved in reaching this point.

“Unfortunately, we’re still in the high-risk period and I want to remind all stakeholders to remain vigilant,” he noted.

Biosecurity

Despite the whole island regaining its bird flu-free status, poultry farmers and bird keepers have been urged to continue complying with measures in place.

These measures include the housing order for all captive birds, and the heightened biosecurity controls for poultry farms.

There has been no confirmed cases of bird flu in Ireland and Northern Ireland in wild birds or poultry in 2026 to date.

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