Ireland confirms HPAI in a commercial turkey flock

A recent outbreak of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza (AI) has been reported in Ireland, affecting several counties, and has also been detected in various countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Europe. In response, the government has implemented a set of strict biosecurity measures, including the establishment of protection and surveillance zones, confinement of poultry and captive birds, and the requirement for all poultry keepers to maintain secure buildings and strict biosecurity practices. Despite the outbreak, the risk to humans is considered low, and there have been no reported human infections with this virus in Europe. The World Animal Health Organization (OIE) has emphasized the importance of timely notification of AI outbreaks to monitor its spread and highlighted the need for improved reporting obligations effective from January 2022. The OIE is also supporting national laboratories in the diagnostic identification of AI samples. The majority of AI outbreaks occur during the Northern hemisphere's winter, with peaks in February and continued reporting through April.