Bird flu fears for Ireland's seals as UK records rise in seal deaths

While there are no known cases of mammals contracting bird flu in Ireland to date, the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 strain has been discovered in sea birds on Irish coasts not far from our seal colonies. File photo

Seals​ could be the next victims of Ireland’s bird flu outbreak, as reports of seal deaths in the UK are on the increase.

There has already been confirmed findings of avian influenza in non-avian wildlife in parts of the UK, with seals the biggest victims.