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Birds

Find out about registering birds, what to do if there is an outbreak of Avian Influenza, how the disease spreads and where to get advice on preventing Avian Influenza.

Keeping Birds

All keepers of birds (except keepers of pet birds kept in the owners home) are required to register with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD). A registration form can be downloaded from the DARD website.

You can also contact the DARD Helpline or your local Divisional Veterinary Office for a registration form.

  • Contact DARD: 0300 200 7840  

All keepers of birds should be vigilant about the health of their birds.

Avian Influenza

Avian influenza is a disease of animals caused by influenza A viruses. Avian influenza viruses are normally only found in birds, but may affect pigs and have been known to infect sea mammals, mink, horses and other mammals. On rare occasions some types of avian influenza viruses have infected humans.

Avian Influenza viruses can be classified according to their ability to cause severe disease (pathogenicity) as either highly pathogenic or low pathogenic. Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses - (HPAI) can cause severe disease in susceptible birds and low pathogenic avian influenza viruses - (LPAI) generally cause mild disease or no disease at all.

Avian influenza is one of the most important poultry diseases, and serious outbreaks of disease have been reported in many countries.

How is it spread?

Avian Influenza is not an air-borne disease. It is spread by movement of infected birds or contact with their secretions, particularly faeces, either directly or through contaminated objects, clothes or vehicles.

Preventing Avian Flu

Advice for bird keepers on preventing avian influenza can be found on the Department for Agriculture and Rural Development's (DARD) website.

Finding a Dead Bird

Do I need to report single dead birds?

If you find one or more gulls, waders, ducks, geese and swans (webbed feet, long legs or long neck) You should contact the DARD helpline. You will be asked for details of the finding and the location.

  • DARD Helpline: 028 9052 4999

If you find any other single dead birds, including garden birds, then you do not need to call the DARD Helpline.

What should I do if I find a number of dead birds?

If you find 5 or more dead birds of any species, other than swans, gulls, waders, ducks and geese, in the same place, you should contact the DARD Helpline.

  • DARD Helpline: 028 9052 4999

If you find more than one but less than 5 dead birds and they are not gulls, waders, ducks, geese or swans then you do not need to call DARD.

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