Fota Wildlife Park to remain closed after bird flu detected in geese

Fota Wildlife Park has shut its gates indefinitely after bird flu was confirmed in samples taken from dead geese

In an update on Fota's Instagram story on Thursday, it said that the park will remain closed until further notice. Picture: Larry Cummins

Cork’s Fota Wildlife Park will remain closed after samples from dead birds tested positive for bird flu.

The positive results were linked to three dead geese and one sick goose, part of a flock of 20.

In an update on Fota’s Instagram story on Thursday, the park said it will remain closed until further notice.

"We apologise for any inconvenience caused," the statement said. 

On Tuesday, Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon confirmed that samples taken from the birds showed the H5N1 avian influenza strain. 

According to the HSE-HPSC, the risk to public health from this strain is considered low for the general public and low to medium for those working closely with birds.

It is the latest confirmed case of avian influenza in Cork, following an outbreak at The Lough earlier this month.