'Little or no risk' of migratory birds bringing avian flu to Ireland
A new study to examine whether migratory birds are likely to spread the deadly avian flu to Ireland this autumn following recent outbreaks in Europe has concluded that the risk is low.
Birdwatch Ireland and the National Parks and Wildlife Service carried out the risk assessment following outbreaks of H5N1 avian flu in the Czech Republic, Germany and France.
Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan revealed this week that she had commissioned the study because of these cases and the fact that we are at the early stage of the autumn migratory season.
Experts had looked at the species of migratory birds posing the biggest risk of spreading the disease but concluded that "most are considered to pose little or no risk of spreading H5N1 into Ireland at the present time", she said.
Ms Coughlan said that the recent cases in Europe after a period of relative inactivity showed the need for continued vigilance as the threat of an outbreak had to be taken seriously. The threat would increase as more birds arrived here during the autumn, she noted.
Ms Coughlan urged people to report any unusual patterns of deaths in wild birds to the avian flu helpline at 1890 252 284. Poultry flockowners should continue to maintain the highest standards, she urged.
