Water fowl bird flu risk
Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan has said they do not want calls into their bird flu helplines about every sparrow and starling in Ireland.
A list prepared in conjunction with BirdWatch Ireland of wild bird species at higher risk includes dabbling ducks, wigeon, gadwell, teal, mallard, northern pintail, northern shoveler, diving ducks, pochard, tufted duck, waders, lapwing, black-headed and common gulls.
According to the Department, it is not unusual to observe an occasional dead or sick bird in the wild, and this is not a cause for concern. But if a number of dead birds are seen in one place the Local District Veterinary Office of the Department of Agriculture should be contacted. Live or dead wild birds should not be handled unnecessarily.
Members of the public who want to report dead birds can call a helpline at 01 6072512 seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Minister Coughlan said there is also an existing long standing facility whereby the Department’s Head Office is contactable 24 hours a day for reporting animal disease incidences. A lo-call number, 1890 252 283, is also available.
The Department has advised the Garda Síochána, the Health Services Executive, local authorities and emergency services to forward concerns expressed to them by the public to the appropriate veterinarians via the helpline numbers.
Minister Coughlan said, “We have had a 24 hour on-call service for a considerable number of years. If someone telephones a district veterinary office, DVO, and leaves a message, an on-call veterinarian will deal with the matter.”
