Bird 'flu outbreak confirmed in west Cork pheasant flock
The Department of Agriculture has said that it is dealing with an outbreak of avian influenza in pheasants in west Cork.
Officials confirmed that preliminary tests have identified evidence of bird 'flu in samples from a small flock of some 100 game birds on a premises near Clonakilty.
The preliminary test results show that whilst it is what is called the H5 strain, it is not the most pathogenic H5N1 strain of the virus.
Further tests are being carried out to establish the precise strain and the results of those tests will be available within days.
As a purely precautionary measure, the birds on the affected premises are being slaughtered.
All necessary biosecurity measures have been put in place and a 1km restriction zone has been put in place around the farm.
