It is understood the farm is a significant operation, with thousands of turkeys – all of which will be culled due to the outbreak
A commercial turkey farm in the Republic of Ireland has been confirmed as the latest site of avian influenza – or bird flu – raising concerns for poultry operations in the border region.
The latest cases were detected in a flock near Clontibret in Co Monaghan, close to the border with Northern Ireland.
It is understood the farm is a significant operation, with thousands of turkeys – all of which will be culled due to the outbreak. A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are in place around the site, the Irish Mirror reports.
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This comes after two bird flu outbreaks were detected last week on commercial turkey farms – one in Carlow on Tuesday, with another near Kells in Co Meath on Wednesday.
This development follows the Minister’s implementation of a mandatory housing order for all poultry and captive birds, which took effect on Monday November 10.
These Regulations also include a ban on gatherings of birds from different premises to protect the birds from the risk of infection e.g. shows, fairs, sales.
A similar measure has been in place in Northern Ireland since Thursday.
Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon said the outbreak underlines the “ongoing risk to poultry and captive birds of avian influenza”.
“We know the virus is circulating in wild birds across the country. The compulsory poultry biosecurity regulations and housing order, which I have introduced, will help to mitigate the ongoing risk, but a strict and meticulous attention to biosecurity by all those who keep poultry or captive birds is the best way to protect our flocks from further outbreaks during this very challenging higher risk winter period.
“I want to express my sympathies to the flock owners who have been affected by these outbreaks, and to thank poultry keepers nationally for their continued cooperation and strong commitment to maintaining the highest standards of biosecurity.”
The Department of Agriculture has called on flock owners to maintain their vigilance around biosecurity on farms, while members of the public are advised not to touch any dead or obviously sick birds they encounter and report incidents via the Department’s Avian Check app or by calling the National Disease Emergency Hotline on +3531 492 8026.
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