Swans hit by mystery disease

CHILDREN looked on helplessly as swans and ducks they’d lovingly fed for years were taken away after being struck down by a mystery disease.

The sudden deaths of a number of swans, ducks and fish at a popular wildlife sanctuary in Cork are being investigated by experts at the Central Veterinary Laboratory in Kildare.

The birds, according to veterinary experts, had all been in good health, but “suddenly succumbed” to a disease which appeared to rapidly attack their central nervous system.