A third outbreak of Avian Influenza in Co Monaghan has been discovered in a commercial poultry flock in Castleblayney.
The Department of Agriculture this afternoon confirmed the discovery of the H5N1 strain in the egg-laying flock.
The previous two cases involving the strain were confirmed on a turkey farm and poultry farm on the 21st and 24th of November last.
The Department says it has has expanded its protection and surveillance zones around all three flocks to further mitigate the risk of spread of the disease.
Additional controls on the movement of poultry and poultry products within the zones have also been put in place and movements into and out of the zones are also subject to licensing. Additional surveillance measures also apply within the restricted zones.
“The restriction zone around the most recent outbreak extends into Northern Ireland and the Department is working closely with colleagues in Northern Ireland on disease control and risk mitigation measures,” added a spokesperson.
“The authorities in Northern Ireland will manage movement controls and additional surveillance measures within their jurisdiction in a similar way to the Department of Agriculture.”
Meanwhile, the Department also highlighted the importance of stringent biosecurity, including housing or confinement of birds and how this is vital in mitigating the risk and protection of poultry flocks across the island being pushed further into negative margins as another increase in feed price was endured.