Avian flu detected at second turkey farm in Co Monaghan

“Movements of poultry and poultry products within and through the zones are only permitted with Department approval. The license terms are intended to help mitigate the risk of further distribution. Poultry farmers with flocks located within the restricted zones are required by law to comply with the zoning requirements,” the department said in a statement.

The second positive test for bird flu comes just over a week after it was confirmed in another turkey herd in Co Monaghan.

This confirmation prompted the department to impose a 3 km exclusion zone around the affected farm to curb the spread of the virus. In addition, a 10 km surveillance zone was set up as a precaution.

Poultry farmers with flocks located within the exclusion zone are legally obliged to comply with protection and surveillance zone requirements.

The department said: “Strict biosecurity remains key to protecting poultry and captive bird populations from disease. The Department continues to advise strict adherence to avian influenza (bird flu) precautions recently incorporated into the provisions of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.

“These regulations require all flock keepers to confine all poultry and captive birds they own or control in a secure building to which wild birds or other animals have no access and to use special biosecurity measures.

“Owners of poultry flocks should remain vigilant for signs of disease in their flocks and report any suspected disease to the nearest regional veterinary office.”

Meanwhile, the Health Protection Surveillance Center confirmed that while the H5N1 subtype can cause serious disease in poultry and other birds, the risk to humans is very low.

However, it is recommended not to handle sick or dead wild birds and to keep your dog on a leash in areas with sick or dead wild birds.

There is no evidence of any risk associated with the consumption of poultry meat, poultry meat products or eggs.