Fine Gael fears Ireland has ‘no plan’ for bird flu

IRELAND is one of the least prepared countries in the EU for bird flu pandemic, according to Fine Gael, amid heightened fears the deadly virus may be spreading within Europe.

The United Nations has warned that the chance of it mutating into a form that could be passed between humans increases with each new case after Turkey confirmed 16 more people have tested positive with the deadly H5N1 strain.

And with bird flu being detected in the popular resort of Kusadasi, holiday-makers may decide to stay away. Up to 75,000 Irish people visit Turkey each year, according to a spokesperson for the Irish Travel Agents Association.