Highly pathogenic strain of bird flu in Wexford

The Department of Agriculture confirmed the avian influenza subtype H5N8 detected in the wild bird found in Co Wexford on December 28 is the highly pathogenic strain previously confirmed in the UK and mainland Europe.

It is the only case detected in Ireland so far. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has confirmed that the risk to humans is considered to be very low.

Chinese authorities have reported the deaths of four people affected by bird flu in the province of Shandong, but these were due to the H7N9 bird flu.