Ulster Unionist Party Leader, Robin Swann MLA, has urged bird keepers and members of the public to remain vigilant after a second case of bird flu was confirmed in Northern Ireland.
Robin Swann said:
“Whilst this will hopefully be an isolated discovery, avian influenza remains a constant and real threat to our poultry industry as well as to our wild bird population. The discovery of this bird in Lurgan Park is particularily concerning as it was infected with the highly pathogenic H5N6 strain.
“I cannot emphasise enough that we all have a role to play in preventing this disease from getting a grip in Northern Ireland. I am confident that local poultry keepers – from the largescale commercial flocks right down hoppyists with just a few hens in the back garden – will continue to practice high levels of bio-security in order to keep any possible spread at bay.
“I would also urge members of the public to remain vigilant and immediately report any concerns that they may have to the DAERA helpline, especially if they come across a number of dead or ill birds within close proximity of one another.”