THE DEPARTMENT OF Agriculture has confirmed chickens on seven poultry farms across the country have tested positive for Salmonella.

The Department has undertaken a series of investigations to identify the source of the ‘Salmonella enteriditis’ infection and the Food Safety Authority and HSE have both been notified.

The bacterium can cause a type of food poisoning that includes diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. Symptoms can be so severe that a person has to be hospitalised and those with low immune systems are particularly at risk.

However the Department today sought to assure the public that there are no food safety risks arising from the outbreak, though it does pose an occupational health risk to those who closely handle the birds.

In a statement it said all of the birds are subject to prescribed controls, “either destruction on-farm or to a process of controlled sanitary slaughter”.

In all seven cases, appropriate controls were and are being applied.

At farms where infection  has been found, there is no compensation available for the birds they have to destroy.

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