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Restrictions in place as avian flu detected on Island

Photo credit: Isle of Man Government

 Two geese and one chicken died from the H5N1 strain

People are asked not to touch any sick or dead birds after a confirmed case of avian influenza (bird flu) this weekend. 

The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture tested birds from a backyard flock in Braddan today (Sunday). 

Two geese and one chicken died from the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain in the Island's first outbreak of the virus in kept birds since December 2022.

Chief veterinary officer Dr Amy Beckett said: "We appreciate this will be upsetting for the owner of the birds, and our team is supporting them through the necessary measures.

"We're strongly advising everyone who keeps birds to house them where possible and practise good biosecurity. 

"The risk to human health remains low. Well-cooked eggs and poultry are still safe to eat."

The Isle of Man is now classed as an infected area. An Island-wide avian influenza prevention zone is in place, so everyone who keeps birds must take extra biosecurity measures.

DEFA has also put a 1km (0.62 mile) control zone around the affected flock, in line with the approach taken during the previous outbreak in captive birds in 2022. 

It means birds inside this zone must be housed or kept away from wild birds. They cannot be moved without a licence from a veterinary inspector whilst measures are in place.

All other poultry on the impacted holding will be humanely culled.
 

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