Wicklow County Council Issue Warning On Flu Circulating In Wild Birds

Wicklow County Council wishes to alert the public that Bird Flu is currently circulating in wild birds, especially in breeding seabirds around Ireland.

Members of the public are urged to avoid coming into close contact with any dead/injured seabird.  Over the last two weeks in particular large numbers of dead Gannets have been detected at breeding colonies off the Irish Coast  and are now being washed up ashore.

 As advised on the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine website, members of the public are advised: 

·       not to handle sick or dead wild birds                                                    

·       not to bring sick wild birds home

·       pets should be kept away from sick and dead wild birds (dogs should be kept on a leash where sick or dead wild birds are present.

Please notify DAFM of any suspected avian influenza cases via the Avian Check App or alternatively to please call the Avian Influenza Hotline at 01 607 2000 (or 01 492 8026 outside of normal office hours).

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has responsibly for avian influenza testing in Ireland.