Bird Flu Outbreaks Prompt Poultry Housing in Ireland, NI

Multiple outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza, known as bird flu, have prompted emergency housing orders for poultry across Ireland and Northern Ireland, raising concerns about potential disruptions to the Christmas turkey supply. The virus, strain H5N1, was confirmed this week on two commercial turkey farms in the Republic of Ireland, marking the first such incidents in over two years.

On Tuesday, cases were detected in a flock at a farm in County Carlow, followed by confirmation on Wednesday of another outbreak at a larger operation near Kells in County Meath. The Meath farm supplies turkeys to major supermarkets, amplifying worries about supply chains. Authorities established three-kilometer protection zones and 10-kilometer surveillance zones around both sites to contain the spread. In response, the Department of Agriculture announced a compulsory housing order requiring all poultry and captive birds to be kept indoors or in enclosures that prevent contact with wild birds or other flocks. The measure takes effect on Monday, November 10.

Northern Ireland implemented a similar housing order starting Thursday, after laboratory tests confirmed H5N1 cases on Friday at...