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Avian flu found in Ireland for third time in a month after cases in Monaghan and Galway

The risk to humans is considered very low but people are advised not to handle sick or dead wild birds.

AVIAN FLU HAS been found in Ireland for the third time in the last month, with cases already detected in Monaghan and Galway.

The birds have contracted the H5N1 subtype, which can cause serious disease in poultry, but the risk to humans is currently considered to be very low.

The new outbreak is in an egg-laying flock in the Castleblayney area of Monaghan – the second outbreak detected in Monaghan in recent weeks.

At the start of November, a wild bird in Oranmore in Galway was found to have a case of the virus.

“The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has today confirmed a third outbreak of Avian Influenza H5N1 in commercial poultry, in the Castleblaney area of Co. Monaghan. The most recent outbreak is in an egg laying flock,” the department said in a statement.

It has expanded protection and surveillance zones around the affected flocks to try to prevent the spread of the disease, which puts controls on the movement of poultry and poultry products within the zones.

“Movements into and out of the zones are also subject to licensing. Additional surveillance measures also apply within the restricted zones,” the department said.

“The restriction zone around the most recent outbreak extends into Northern Ireland (NI) and the Department is working closely with colleagues in NI on disease control and risk mitigation measures,” it said.

“The authorities in Northern Ireland will manage movement controls and additional surveillance measures within their jurisdiction in a similar way to DAFM.

The spread of disease outside the previous restriction zones highlights the high risk of incursion of avian influenza into poultry flocks. Stringent biosecurity, including housing or confinement of birds, is vital to mitigate the risk and protect poultry flocks across the island/country.

“As previously advised, 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,” the department said.

“Notwithstanding, members of the public are, as always, advised not to handle sick or dead wild birds. It is important to note that there is no evidence of risk associated with consumption of properly cooked poultry products.

“The Department remains in close contact with all industry stakeholders in relation to avian influenza.”

Since early October, cases of the influenza have been found in flocks in Italy, Poland, Germany, Netherlands, Denmark, Hungary, Estonia, Czechia, Norway, Bulgaria, Belgium and the UK.

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    Mute Dave Johnston
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    May 8th 2022, 3:16 PM

    Wow. That’s some achievement

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    Mute Jeremiah A Craic
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    May 8th 2022, 7:21 PM

    @Dave Johnston: That’s peak performance

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    Mute Barry Dempsey
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    May 8th 2022, 3:35 PM

    Sherpas really are superheroes, this guy is a real specimen. Tired even reading about it and only did a bit of gardening

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    Mute Peter Jo
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    May 8th 2022, 3:20 PM

    Wow, reaching great heights in his career.

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    Mute Bricesypherthron Smith
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    May 8th 2022, 7:54 PM

    Did a base camp trek with Intrepid travel about 12 years back for 15 days up to bade camp 1. Stayed with a Sherpa who had submitted Everest several times. The trek was the highlight of my travels. Such beautiful scenery & the Nepalise are beautiful people.

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    Mute Genera L Consensus
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    May 8th 2022, 7:34 PM

    And I struggle up Bray head

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    Mute Peter White
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    May 8th 2022, 6:49 PM

    Tigers of the Snow

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    Mute damian jennings
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    May 8th 2022, 10:47 PM

    But would he be fit for Croagh Patrick in April like the legendary Charlie Bird?

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    Mute Daithi De Roiste
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    May 8th 2022, 10:13 PM

    Is this the same guy on the Netflix documentary?

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    Mute Paul Crudge
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    May 8th 2022, 8:28 PM

    Is he a Sherpa or a sherpa? As, not all Sherpas are sherpas and not all sherpas are Sherpas.

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    Mute Robc
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    May 8th 2022, 8:35 PM

    @Paul Crudge: The article states Sherpa, therefore, I reckon he’s a Sherpa.

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    Mute Paul Crudge
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    May 8th 2022, 8:47 PM

    @Robc: Sherpas are the ethnic people of the region and sherpas are the mountain guides.

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    Mute Robc
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    May 8th 2022, 9:04 PM

    @Paul Crudge: I know, as differentiated by the upper case ‘s’. What’s your point?

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    Mute Fr Romeo sensini.
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    May 9th 2022, 10:35 AM

    I done croagh Patrick twice and you dont hear me going on about it.

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    Mute A$AP Ragnick
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    May 9th 2022, 10:53 AM

    @Fr Romeo sensini.: and two flights of stairs unassisted!

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    Mute Fr Romeo sensini.
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    May 9th 2022, 11:10 AM

    @A$AP Ragnick: now ya have it.

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