Authorities have ordered the humane culling of around 1,000 pheasants at a commercial poultry premises near Newtownstewart in County Tyrone following a suspected case of highly pathogenic avian influenza. The case was reported on March 3, 2026. Disease control measures took effect immediately.

Chief Veterinary Officer Brian Dooher based the decision on clinical signs in the birds and initial tests from the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute. Samples went to the National Reference Laboratory for confirmation of the virus strain and pathogenicity. Temporary Control Zones now apply within a 3km radius of the site, requiring enhanced record-keeping and poultry movement restrictions.

Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Andrew Muir stated that the culling and zones serve as precautions to prevent disease spread. Dooher stressed the need for bird owners to maintain biosecurity and report suspicions to DAERA.

If confirmed as highly pathogenic avian influenza, the temporary zones will change to a 3km Protection Zone and a 10km Surveillance Zone. Northern Ireland's Avian Influenza Prevention Zone requires all poultry and captive birds to stay indoors or separated from wild birds. A ban continues on gatherings of poultry, pheasants, partridges, quail, turkeys, guinea fowl, ducks, geese, and swans.

This marks the first suspected outbreak in Northern Ireland since November 2025. Three cases received confirmation in the 2025/26 season.