Chicken Cull Ordered Following Suspected Avian Influenza Outbreak in County Tyrone
County Tyrone, Northern Ireland – A chicken cull is underway at a commercial poultry premises in County Tyrone following the suspected detection of avian influenza, Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs confirmed today. This marks the first case in a commercial setting in northern Ireland since February, raising concerns about potential wider disruption to the region’s poultry industry.
the outbreak comes as Northern Ireland enters a “high-risk period” for avian influenza due to the movement of migratory birds, according to Minister Andrew Muir. Authorities acted swiftly to implement standard disease control protocols, including the culling of birds at the affected farm, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been established around the premises. The incident underscores the ongoing threat posed by bird flu to the £500m-a-year Northern Ireland poultry sector and highlights the importance of stringent biosecurity measures.
Previously, Avian Influenza Protection Zone restrictions were in place across Northern Ireland from January 2025 after Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 was detected in wild birds in County Tyrone. Those restrictions were lifted in June. Prior to this latest case, Northern Ireland experienced four outbreaks of bird flu in february – three at commercial poultry farms in Newmills, Pomeroy, and Cookstown, and one within a captive bird collection in Magherafelt. these were the first confirmed cases in a commercial setting as December 2021.
“As of the importance of poultry in Northern Ireland, we are always very concerned about outbreaks,” stated Department of Agriculture official mr. McKeown. “This will have a devastating effect on the owner and on the poultry industry.”
Poultry farmers are being urged to review and reinforce their biosecurity measures to prevent further spread of the virus. The Department of Agriculture and Environmental affairs is continuing to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates as they become available.
