Bird flu at its 'worst ever on these islands'

Outbreaks had ranged from small backyard flocks to large commercial premises with flocks of more than 100,000 birds

The disease control zones required around the two infected premises in Co Monaghan, and the case in Co Cavan, extend into Northern Ireland.

Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue has met with his northern counterpart to tackle the spread of Avian influenza on the island as outbreaks continue to be confirmed in both jurisdictions.

Speaking after the meeting, Northern Ireland agriculture minister Edwin Poots said the UK and Ireland were experiencing their “worst outbreak of avian influenza to date”, with the HPAI H5N1 strain confirmed or suspected at four sites in Northern Ireland and five in the Republic of Ireland.