Ireland has avoided recent outbreaks of bird flu but the global threat remains and is growing

Spread of bird flu to cattle, first seen in Texas, brings to more than 40 the number of different species of mammals infected

Ireland has avoided outbreaks in recent months but elsewhere in Europe, cases are still widespread.

Concern notched up in global medical circles after the highly pathogenic bird flu virus was detected in a person in Texas who probably contracted it from infected cows.

Ireland has been one of the countries least affected by bird flu. There were no outbreaks in poultry on the island of Ireland in 2023 or 2024. Elsewhere in Europe, cases are still widespread, but the overall number of detections has fallen.