There are fears that turkeys could be affected in the run up to Christmas after evidence of bird flu was detected in Co Monaghan, with restriction zones now in place.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine confirmed the outbreak of Avian Influenza H5N1 was detected in a flock of turkeys near Clones in Co Monaghan. It comes as the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has now introduced Avian influenza restriction zones, where additional protection and surveillance measures are required.
In a statement, the Department said: "These Regulations require all flock keepers to implement enhanced biosecurity measures and confine all poultry and captive birds in their possession or under their control in a secure building to which wild birds, or other animals do not have access.
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"Poultry flock owners are urged to remain vigilant for any signs of disease in their flocks and report any disease suspicion to their nearest Department Regional Veterinary Office," they added.
Dublin Senator Victor Boyhan, a member of the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food, said the latest outbreak of Avian Influenza has the potential to wipeout Turkey stocks for Christmas.
He said: “Everyone needs to be on high alert now in order to protect the industry and ensure confidence food safety within the poultry sector. Avian Influenza is highly infectious to birds.
"Anyone travelling from an area suspected to be affected with avian influenza or where wild birds have been found dead should avoid any contact with poultry.”
Senator Boyhan warned members of the public to follow some simple but critically important guidelines:
- Do not touch sick or dead wild or farm birds - Human cases of this strain of Avian Influenza are very rare buts it’s important to be exceptionally cautious.
Report sightings of sick or dead wild birds to their local Regional Veterinary Office or contact the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine at 01-4928026.
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.
However, 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. There is no evidence of a human health risk associated with consumption of poultry meat, poultry meat products or eggs.
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