Concerns have been raised over the incoming Christmas season's turkey stock as restriction zones have been implemented due to Avian Flu.
Precautionary measures are now in force in Co. Monaghan after a turkey flock showed signs of Avian Influenza H5N1, according to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Further testing is being carried out by officials to confirm more details of the illness among this flock with results due in a matter of days.
Restriction zones have been put in place to contain the spread of the virus as additional protection and surveillance measures take effect.
This means that “any poultry keepers with flocks located within the restriction zones are legally obliged to comply with zone requirements,” according to the department’s update.
These Regulations require all flock keepers to implement enhanced biosecurity measures and to confine all poultry and captive birds in their possession or under their control in a secure building so that wild birds, or other animals do not have access.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has confirmed that although the H5N1 subtype can cause serious disease in poultry and other birds, the risk to humans is considered to be very low.
Despite this, members of the public are advised not to handle sick or dead wild birds and to keep their dog on a leash in areas with sick or dead wild birds.
It is also important to note that there is no evidence of a human health risk associated with consumption of poultry meat, poultry meat products or eggs.
Concerns have since been raised over the effect this may have ahead of the Christmas season on the availability of turkeys, however, Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue has said that every step is being taken to mitigate risks.
He insisted that he is confident that the outbreak will be contained and that Christmas stocks will not be impacted.
Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast, he said: “There’s always a risk, all we can do is take all the precautions. That does not mean it will go away but it will minimise risk.”
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