‘Imports won’t bring bird flu to Ireland’

THE “bird flu” cannot be introduced here by the importation of poultry products from affected areas in south-east Asia, Agriculture and Food Minister Mary Coughlan said yesterday.

She said importation of live poultry and certain poultry products from Asian countries infected with the disease has been prohibited since January 23, 2004.

The department has increased its checks on commercial products and products in personal luggage from these countries.

Ms Coughlan said avian influenza viruses rarely affect humans and there is no evidence the virus can be transmitted from poultry to humans other than by direct contact with infected birds.

She also said the risk from poultry meat to humans is negligible as the virus is destroyed during meat maturation and cooking.

Ms Coughlan also said the EU Commission Working Group on Avian Influenza found the immediate risk of introducing the virus into the EU through migratory birds is low.

She said Ireland has a contingency plan specifying the measures to be implemented in the event of an outbreak.

She warned early detection was the key to speedy eradication of avian influenza. Avoiding and destroying the disease was in everybody’s interest and the department maintains very close contacts with all interested parties including the Department of Health.

As a precautionary measure, her Department asked regional game councils, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Birdwatch Ireland to report any increased mortalities in game birds or migrating birds.