Picture: Valerie O’Sullivan
THE Health Protection Surveillance Centre has confirmed that although the avian flu detected in a white-tailed eagle in Kerry can cause serious disease in poultry and other birds, no human infections with this virus have been reported.
KillarneyToday.com revealed last night that a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 (HPAI H5N1) was confirmed following tests taken from an eagle near Tarbert.
The diagnosis was made at the veterinary laboratory in Limerick following the submission of samples by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine via its wild bird avian influenza surveillance programme.
It is the same highly pathogenic strain already detected last week in a peregrine falcon in Co Galway while swans and geese in Donegal and Offaly have also been confirmed positive for H5N1.
Addressing public concerns, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre has confirmed that although the H5N1 sub-type can cause serious disease in poultry and other birds, no human infections with this virus have been reported worldwide and the risk to humans is very low.
Officials said properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.
The department has been liaising closely with colleagues from the National Parks and Wildlife Service and it remaining in close contact with industry stakeholders to ensure strict bio-security measures are implemented to prevent the introduction of avian influenza into poultry and captive bird flocks.
Flock owners have been told to remain vigilant for any signs of disease and to report any suspicion to their nearest department veterinary office.
