It was recently announced Ireland has officially been awarded Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus (HPAI)-free status. The World Organisation for Animal Health has published Ireland’s self-declaration of freedom from HPAI in poultry on its website, with an effective date of January 1, 2026. Agriculture minister Martin Heydon commended all involved in regaining disease freedom: “This publication means that Ireland has regained its status regarding ‘Freedom from HPAI’. It is a real credit to our poultry industry and my department, and I want to acknowledge the effort involved in reaching this point. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza has not been detected in Ireland in wild birds or domestic poultry in 2026 (to date).

Source: Irish Examiner January 28, 2026 13:14 UTC