Poultry producers on alert as bird flu detected

POULTRY producers in Ireland were urged last night to maintain the highest levels of vigilance after three swans were found dead in Dorset, Britain, with the lethal strain of bird flu.

Officials at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in Dublin are monitoring developments and keeping existing contingency arrangements under review.

The department said it has taken ornithological advice from the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Bird Watch Ireland on current migratory patterns between Britain and Ireland.