FALKLAND ISLANDS GOVERNMENT
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
24 March 2025
Confirmed case of avian influenza (bird flu) – Moss Side Farm and Steeple Jason Island
On Friday 21st March 2025 swabs that were taken from dead penguins at the penguin colony at North Pond on Moss Side farm returned a positive result for HPAI. Swabs taken from a smaller number of dead gentoos and skuas on Steeple Jason also returned a positive result.
Given the number of dead birds a level 2-3 response will be followed for the Moss Side Colony but a full protection zone will not be declared. A level 1 response will be declared for Steeple Jason. The locations in which the birds are will be declared as infected places. Movement of people will be restricted at the Moss Side Colony.
The Declarations will be reviewed on Friday 11th April 2025.
FIG have prepared information and guidance about bird flu and preventative measures to try and reduce the spread of the virus. This guidance can be found here: https://falklands.gov.fk/agriculture/avian-influenza
The public are reminded to NOT TOUCH dead or sick birds but report them to the Veterinary Services on 27366 or 55366 out of hours.
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ENDS
FALKLAND ISLANDS GOVERNMENT
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
24 March 2025
Update on avian influenza (bird flu)
| Results for the week commencing 17/03/25 | |||
| Swabs taken: 2
|
Negative: 1 | Positive: 1 (and one positive from swabs taken the week before)
|
Pending: 0
|
| Declarations in place | Review date | ||
| FK/404/24 Yorke Bay gentoo colony – level 1 follow biosecurity guidance | review on 28th March 2025 | ||
| FK/448/24 Bluff Cove Lagoon – level 1 follow biosecurity guidance | review on 28th March 2025 | ||
| FK/017/25 Whale Point – level 1 follow biosecurity guidance | review on 28th March 2025 | ||
| FK/124/25 Cape Dolphin – level 1 follow biosecurity guidance | review on 28th March 2025 | ||
| FK/130/25 Volunteer Green – level 1 follow biosecurity guidance | review on 28th March 2025 | ||
| FK/131/25 Cow Bay – level 1 follow biosecurity guidance | review on 28th March 2025 | ||
| FK/158/25 North Pond Moss Side – level 2/3 access restricted | review on 11th April 2025 | ||
| FK/190/25 Steeple Jason – level 1 follow biosecurity guidance | review on 11th April 2025 | ||
Since Monday 1 July 2024, 101 suspect birds/animals have been reported, 81 sets of swabs have been taken (some are repeat sets from known suspect or confirmed areas). Twenty five sets returned positive results and 56 sets of negative results. No sets of swab results are pending.
FIG have prepared information and guidance about bird flu and preventative measures to try and reduce the spread of the virus. This has been approved by the Governor and must be complied with when an area or place is declared as infected. This guidance can be found here: https://falklands.gov.fk/agriculture/avian-influenza
The public are reminded to NOT TOUCH dead or sick birds but report them to the Veterinary Services on 27366 or 55366 out of hours.
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ENDS
