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Avian Influenza

December 10, 2021

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council is advising people to avoid contact with birds following confirmation by the Department of Agriculture and Environmental and Rural Affairs (DAERA) of the presence of Avian Influenza in wild birds in Hillsborough Forest Park.

Whilst the Public Health Agency has confirmed that human infections are rare, they have issued the following guidance:

  • Do not pick up or touch sick, dying or dead poultry or wild birds and keep dogs away from them;
  • Avoid contact with wild birds including their feathers and waste; and
  • Maintain good personal hygiene with regular hand washing with soap and use of alcohol based rubs.

New signage has been implemented at council facilities to advise people to keep away from the birds, to maintain good hand hygiene and follow all the health and safety advice.

Additional council staff will be onsite at Hillsborough Forest Park over the weekend. Any affected birds will be removed safely as quickly as possible.

We continue to monitor the situation and are working in partnership with the DAERA, the Public Health Agency (PHA) and other relevant authorities.

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