Coughlan gives bird flu assurance
“My department continues to keep the situation under constant review and we won’t hesitate to implement such additional measures as are considered appropriate to any increased risk.”
Ms Coughlan gave the assurance in a written reply to a Dáil question by the Cork North Central Fine Gael TD Bernard Allen.
A renewed focus is being put on contingency plans following news that at least two people in Eastern Turkey have tested positive for bird flu. They included a 14-year-old farm boy who died after developing pneumonia-like symptoms. Samples have been sent to European labs for further tests to establish if he had the lethal H5N1 strain.
Veterinary experts across Europe have been on alert, culling birds and taking precautionary measures since October outbreaks in Turkey and Romania. Most of Europe imposed a ban on imports of Turkish live birds at the time.
Experts say a bird flu pandemic among humans could kill millions around the globe and cause massive economic losses.
The virus remains hard for people to catch, but there are fears it could mutate into a form easily transmitted among humans.
Nearly 2,000 flock owners in Ireland’s poultry industry, valued at around €360 million, have been issued with information on biosecurity. Measures aimed at preventing the introduction of avian influenza to Ireland has also been introduced.
Safeguard measures in respect of those countries where the H5N1 virus has been confirmed have also been taken. Ms Coughlan said a ban has been placed on the importation of all captive birds from outside the EU and a ban on poultry and most poultry products has also been imposed on those countries in which the virus has been confirmed.
Because of the role played by migratory wild birds in introducing the disease, there are obvious limitations on the measures which can be taken to ensure Ireland is not affected by avian ‘flu.
Her department has focused on ensuring that any introduction of the disease is identified quickly and eradicated without delay and, in this regard, has an early warning system in place.
