On Friday, October 3, 2025, the quiet rural landscape near Omagh in Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland, was suddenly thrust into the spotlight as authorities responded to a suspected outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu, at a large commercial poultry premises. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) swiftly initiated a series of robust disease control measures, sending ripples of concern through the region’s farming community and beyond.
The suspected case, discovered in a flock estimated at around 20,000 chickens, triggered immediate action. According to DAERA and as reported by multiple sources including Belfast Live and The Irish News, all birds at the affected site are to be humanely culled as a precautionary measure. Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) for Northern Ireland, Brian Dooher, explained that the decision was based on clinical signs observed in the flock and preliminary laboratory results provided by the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI).
“The disease control measures are crucial to limit any potential spread of disease and I appeal to all bird owners – backyard and commercial – to take all necessary steps to protect your flock,” Dooher stated, urging vigilance across the sector. He further stressed the importance of “ensuring continuous excellent levels of biosecurity and reporting any suspect cases of avian flu to DAERA immediately.”
Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir, echoed these sentiments. “A suspect case of notifiable avian influenza was reported on Friday, 3 October and initial results suggest the presence of notifiable HPAI. The CVO has, therefore, taken the decision, as a precautionary measure, to apply appropriate disease control measures, including the humane culling of all poultry on the site and the introduction of Temporary Control Zones (TCZ) to mitigate for onward disease spread,” Muir said, according to The Irish News. “This suspect incursion of HPAI is a stark reminder that we cannot afford to be complacent. It is imperative that all bird owners – from backyard hobbyists to commercial flock keepers with thousands of birds – adhere to all biosecurity measures to protect their flocks.”
The introduction of Temporary Control Zones (TCZ) around the affected premises is designed to contain any possible spread of the virus. Should the presence of HPAI be officially confirmed by the National Reference Laboratory—where samples from the site have been sent for definitive testing—these TCZs will be revoked and replaced by a 3-kilometre Protection Zone (PZ) and a 10-kilometre Surveillance Zone (SZ). These zones would bring additional movement restrictions and surveillance, as outlined in DAERA’s protocols.
Bird owners across Northern Ireland, from small backyard keepers to large commercial operators, have been called upon to rigorously adhere to biosecurity measures. The authorities emphasize that maintaining high standards of cleanliness, controlling movement of people and equipment, and promptly reporting any signs of illness are essential to preventing further outbreaks. “It is imperative that all bird owners – from backyard hobbyists to commercial flock keepers with thousands of birds – adhere to all biosecurity measures to protect their flocks,” Muir reiterated, as reported by The Journal.
Avian influenza is a notifiable animal disease, meaning any suspected cases must be reported to the authorities. The virus is highly contagious among birds, affecting their respiratory, digestive, and nervous systems, and can survive for several weeks in the environment. According to DAERA and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the faeces of infected birds can contain high levels of the virus, making contaminated areas infectious even after carcasses are removed. While transmission to humans or other animals is rare, the disease’s potential to devastate poultry populations and disrupt the industry is significant.
Members of the public have also been asked to play a part in disease surveillance. DAERA encourages reporting of dead waterfowl—such as swans, geese, or ducks—or gulls, as well as clusters of five or more dead wild birds of other species in the same location. Reports can be made through DAERA’s Dead Wild Bird Online Reporting Tool, allowing for rapid assessment and response.
This is not the first time Northern Ireland’s poultry sector has faced the threat of avian influenza. Earlier in 2025, confirmed cases in Magherafelt (Co Londonderry), Cookstown, Pomeroy, and Stewartstown (Co Tyrone) led to the culling of thousands of birds and extensive sanitation measures. In response, Minister Muir previously announced an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ), enforcing compulsory biosecurity controls on poultry flocks. These restrictions were only lifted at the end of May 2025, underscoring the persistent risk the disease poses.
Across the border, the Republic of Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture, Martin Heydon, has also urged vigilance. He emphasized the necessity for all poultry holdings, whether commercial farms or backyard flocks, to be registered with the department. “It is a legal requirement, and it is also essential to help protect poultry flocks and farmers’ livelihoods from the impacts which an outbreak of this disease would bring,” Heydon stated, as reported by The Irish News.
While the current focus is on containment and prevention, the broader context is one of ongoing vigilance. Surveillance for avian influenza is carried out year-round by agricultural authorities, and in areas where HPAI has already been confirmed, further sampling of wild birds may not be necessary. Still, the risk remains: the virus can linger in the environment, and the movement of wild birds can introduce new infections at any time.
The economic and emotional toll of such outbreaks is not lost on those involved. The humane culling of tens of thousands of birds is a difficult but necessary step to protect both the wider industry and public health. For farmers, the loss of entire flocks can be devastating, affecting livelihoods and the local economy.
As the region waits for the final confirmation of the virus’s strain and pathogenicity from the National Reference Laboratory, the message from authorities is clear: vigilance, biosecurity, and swift reporting are the best defenses against this persistent threat. The recent events near Omagh serve as a sobering reminder that, while progress has been made, the battle against avian influenza is far from over.
With the poultry industry and local communities on high alert, the coming days will be crucial in determining the extent of the outbreak and the measures needed to contain it. For now, Northern Ireland stands united in its efforts to protect both animal and public health from the ever-present specter of bird flu.
