A flock of Monaghan turkeys will be culled to prevent the further spread of avian flu across Ireland.
The birds first tested positive for the disease over the weekend near Clones, Co Monaghan. The Department of Agriculture will cull the entire flock out of caution and put a restriction zone in place around the birds.
The news is a stark reminder for the poultry industry to put protections in place ahead of the Christmas season. The Department of Agriculture is urging the public to report sightings of dead or sick birds to their local veterinary office but to avoid direct contact.
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The Department of Agriculture said of the Monaghan outbreak: “The Department has moved quickly to put in place Avian influenza restriction zones where additional protection and surveillance measures are required. Poultry keepers with flocks located within the restriction zones are legally obliged to comply with zone requirements.”
The 3km radius around the site of the outbreak is now deemed a protection zone. This means that the distribution of poultry products in the affected area, including eggs, must first receive authorisation from the Department.
Additionally, all poultry flocks within 10km will undergo surveillance while the outbreak is ongoing. The birds in this radius will be tested for the disease, while poultry farmers will be obligated to follow strict precautionary measures, such as limiting access to their farms.
The restriction zone applies to neighbouring Co Fermanagh, where Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture will implement their own health and safety measures. The recent developments likely stem from a larger outbreak of avian flu unfolding across the UK.
There have been similar outbreaks of avian flu in recent months in other parts of Ireland, although they have not occurred in poultry birds. A flock of gannets in the coastal area of Sutton tested positive for the disease last month.
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