Health services in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland lead cross-border bird flu preparation exercise

Over 50 participants from disciplines across health, veterinary science, agriculture, laboratory services and the food sector took part in the table-top exercise, which was held in Dundalk on 13 June.

Jointly organised by the HSE National Health Protection Service and the Public Health Agency (PHA), participants took part in planning and discussions on optimising cross-border communication, co-ordination and disease control in the case of avian flu in birds and/ or humans.

Dr Joanne McClean, Director of Public Health at the PHA, commented: “Public health emergencies don’t recognise borders so it is crucial that we work together on an all-island basis to tackle any threat to human and animal health.

“Planning events such as this are key to having the correct systems in place to act quickly and effectively in reducing the most severe affects on population health should we be faced with these risks in the future. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us all the effectiveness of multi-agency collaborative working in order to protect the public.”

Dr Éamonn O’Moore, National Director of Health Protection at the HSE, added: “Close working relationships with our nearest neighbours in Northern Ireland and, indeed, with all of the UK are vital as we prepare for emergencies such as avian flu. Establishment of shared understanding, shared protocols and approaches will enable rapid and agile joint response to better protect population health across this island.

“Using a ‘One-Health’ approach which places equal importance on measures that address avian influenza virus from animal, human and environmental health perspectives, integrated exercises such as these strengthen our emergency preparedness for future threats.”

Planning and preparation events for health protection take place regularly with further cross-border exercises planned in the coming years.

The Avian Influenza Prevention Zone in force across Northern Ireland and the ban on poultry gatherings was lifted on Friday 2 June. However, the risk of AI has risen greatly after highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was detected recently in samples of dead black headed gulls at four different locations in NI, the UFU has warned.