Second outbreak of highly contagious avian flu strain confirmed on Irish turkey farm

"In a statement about the outbreak at a farm near Kells, Co Meath, on Wednesday, Minister Heydon said a protection zone has now been put in place for 3km around the holding, with a further 10km surveillance zone, as per EU and national laws. "This second outbreak underlines the ongoing presence of avian influenza in wild birds across the country. The introduction of the housing order will further strengthen our national protection measures to help mitigate the ongoing risk."

"The Department of Agriculture emphasised that the risk to public health from the strain of bird flu that is circulating is very low. "Notwithstanding, members of the public are, as always, advised not to handle sick or dead wild birds and to report sick or dead wild birds to the Department's avian check app (AvianCheck)," it said. The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) had called on the minister to impose the restriction order."

H5N1 avian influenza has been confirmed in flocks in Co Carlow and Co Meath following earlier outbreaks in Co Tyrone and at Fota Wildlife Park in Co Cork. A mandatory housing order for all poultry and captive bird flocks will begin on Monday. A 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone have been established around the affected Meath holding under EU and national law. The Department of Agriculture assessed the public health risk as very low and advised the public not to handle sick or dead wild birds and to report them via AvianCheck. The Irish Farmers Association urged the imposition of the restriction order, and about 23,000 chickens were culled in Omagh after suspected cases.

Read at Irish Independent