Passing bird may be H5N1 source
The new outbreak has prompted a call from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (DAFF) and the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) for Irish poultry producers to maintain high levels of vigilance and bio-security.
The DAFF have pointed out, however, that the most the recent information available is that there is currently little migration and the migratory pattern is stable and, as such, the risk to Ireland remains low.
Experts suspect that wintry weather could have prompted some birds to fly to Britain from Europe in search of food.
Fine Gael spokesman Michael Creed, TD, who repeated his party’s call on Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan to set up a national bio-security committee, said the virulent H5N1 strain of bird flu is again posing a threat.
“Flock owners, however, must keep the Department of Agriculture appraised of the best intelligence available and Minister Coughlan must continue to liaise closely with her counterparts in Britain and Northern Ireland,” he said.
The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Belfast said at this stage there is no need to consider housing birds in Northern Ireland.
It reminded bird keepers of the need to practice good bio-security and if possible, feed and water their birds indoors to avoid unnecessary contact with wild birds.
“The Dorset situation is being kept closely under review in conjunction with stakeholders and appropriate authorities, including DEFRA and the Department of Agriculture and Food, Dublin,” it said.
France yesterday raised its level of risk for bird flu to moderate from low.
