By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews
Agriculture officials have confirmed that test results have identified evidence of Avian influenza H5N1 in samples from a turkey flock in County Monaghan.
As a result, restriction zones are being set up around the area where additional movement control and surveillance measures will be put in place.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 has already been confirmed in wild birds in a number of counties across the country in recent weeks. Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have also been identified in poultry flocks in Italy, Poland, Germany, Netherlands, Denmark, Hungary, Estonia, Czechia, Norway, Bulgaria, Belgium and the UK since early October.
It is important to note that there is no evidence of risk associated with consumption of poultry meat or poultry meat products.
Subscribe to Outbreak News TV on YouTube
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has confirmed that although the H5N1 subtype can cause serious disease in poultry and other birds, no human infections with this virus have been reported in Europe and therefore risk to humans is considered to be very low. Notwithstanding, members of the public are, as always, advised not to handle sick or dead wild birds and to report sick of dead wild birds to the Regional Veterinary Office or contact the Department’s disease hotline on 01 492 8026.
Poultry flock owners should remain vigilant for any signs of disease in their flocks, maintain strict biosecurity measures and report any disease suspicion to their nearest Department Regional Veterinary Office.
Germany: Current COVID-19 situation a ‘national emergency’, New cases up 60% in past 2 weeks
Bird flu outbreak reported in Bashkiria, Russia
Spain: Legionellosis outbreak reported in Montmeló and Montornès del Vallès
