Dead bird being tested for flu in Wicklow

A cygnet found dead in Co Wicklow is being tested for bird flu.

It is also believed that a number of dead swans and foxes have been discovered in the Kilcoole area in recent days, but as yet there is no evidence that the bird flu has reached our shores.

Meanwhile, EU officials have decided to temporarily ban imports of live birds into Europe in an effort to prevent the spread of avian flu.

It comes after the deadly virus was found in a parrot held in quarantine in the UK and 12 dead geese were found in Germany yesterday evening.

They are being tested to see if they are carrying a strain of the bird flu, while in Indonesia yesterday a fourth person was confirmed to have died from the deadly human strain.