Bird flu has been detected in a white-tailed sea eagle near Tarbert, County Kerry.
The white-tailed eagle was tested by a veterinary laboratory in Limerick as part of the Government’s wild bird Avian Influenza surveillance programme.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine confirmed that Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (AI) H5N1 – known as bird flu – was found in the eagle.
Minister Charlie McConalogue said: “It is the very unfortunate that this case has been detected in such a rare bird, but I would like to commend the work of the department’s wild bird AI programme.
“It is important that we remain vigilant, and I would also urge that flock owners should also be watchful.
“We should do everything that we can to ensure that potentially-infected wild birds do not have contact with domestic flocks,” he added.
Last week, a peregrine falcon in Co. Galway tested positive for the same highly pathogenic strain.
Bird flu has also been detected in wild birds, including mute swans and whooper swans and wild geese in Donegal and Offaly.
Members of the public are being advised not to handle any dead birds and should contact the local office for the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).
LSL News.