A second case of bird flu or Avian Influenza has been identified in Northern Ireland, according to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
DAERA announced that a wild Whooper swan found North West of Lough Neagh tested positive for H5N8 Avian Influenza on February 4.
The first case of bird flu in Northern Ireland was identified on February 2, when a wild swan found near Lough Beg tested positive for the virus.
According to DAERA, these findings are not unexpected and further cases are possible.
On January, 20, 2017, DAERA announced that the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone, originally declared on December 23, will remain in force until 11:59pm on March, 16, 2017.
The zone requires the immediate and compulsory housing of domestic chickens, hens, turkeys and ducks, or when this is not practical, their complete separation from contact with wild birds.
For farmed geese, gamebirds, and other captive birds, keepers should take practical steps to keep these birds separate from wild birds.
The zone also means extra bio-security measures for all poultry and captive birds to protect them from the risk from wild birds.
Bird flu cases in Ireland
Six cases of bird flu have been identified in the Republic of Ireland – the latest in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, after a Whooper swan tested positive for the H5N8 strain.
It is the second case of the disease to be found in Tipperary in recent weeks and the fourth to be identified in a whooper swan.
