DISEASE NAME:
Avian Influenza
CATEGORY:
Respiratory
Avian Influenza
Avian influenza or “bird flu” is a disease of birds caused by type A strains of the influenza virus. It can affect all species of birds, some other animals (e.g. cats, horses) and can very rarely infect humans. Only the virus types of the H5 and H7 types are known to cause the highly pathogenic (HPAI) form of the disease. The most well-known example is the avian influenza subtype H5N1 viruses currently circulating in poultry in parts of Asia and northeast Africa, which have caused human disease and deaths since 1997. Other avian influenza subtypes, including H7N9 and H9N2, have also infected people. Some of these infections have been very severe and some have resulted in deaths, but many infections have been mild or even without symptoms in humans.
For queries relating to dead birds please contact the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Guidance
This guidance is under review as of 26th May 2024.
Management of contacts of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b
File Size: (409kb)
Publication Date: 29 November 2023
Algorithm 1 - Public Health Response to a human exposure to a confirmed/suspect case of HPAI H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b in both avian and mammal species
File Size: (224kb)
Publication Date: 29 November 2023
Algorithm 2: Investigation and management of possible human cases of avian influenza in known contacts under Public Health Surveillance
File Size: (207kb)
Publication Date: 29 November 2023
Algorithm 3: Investigation and management of possible human cases of avian influenza in individuals not under Public Health surveillance
File Size: (220kb)
Publication Date: 29 November 2023
Supplementary information to support public health actions related to avian influenza incidents
Click for supplementary information to support public health actions related to avian influenza incidents
Information, Data and Reports for Avian Influenza
Ireland’s specialist service for the surveillance of communicable diseases.