Bird flu outbreak confirmed at Cork city's The Lough

Members of the public have been advised to avoid contact with sick or dead wild birds after an outbreak of avian influenza has been confirmed at The Lough in Cork city.

The highly pathogenic Avian Influenza HPAI (H5N1), commonly known as bird flu, has been detected at the popular amenity and wildfowl sanctuary on the city’s southside.

Bird flu is highly contagious amongst birds, affecting the respiratory, digestive and/or nervous systems of many species of wild birds and poultry.

It can also pose a threat to people and animals in certain circumstances, but these types of infections are rare.

A number of cases of the viral disease have been detected following tests on a number of birds which were found dead at The Lough.

A temporary ban on fishing has been introduced at the amenity and its bird feeder has been temporarily decommissioned as a precaution.

In a statement, Cork City Council urged members of the public visiting The Lough to avoid touching sick or dead wild birds, and not to handle bird feathers found in the area People are advised not to bring sick wild birds home, and to keep pets away from sick and dead wild birds.

The council also said dogs should be kept on a leash where sick or dead wild birds are present.

Former lord mayor of Cork Kieran McCarthy, an Independent city councillor in the south-east ward, said he was very saddened to hear of the outbreak at the local amenity.

“The Lough ecosystem is very interlinked and a resolution needs to be found to stop the spread and prevent further deaths,” he said.

“To the general public, be very, very careful if going to The Lough, especially if there are young children who like to run ahead and explore the path and Lough edge.” 

The Lough is managed by Cork City Council, while the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has responsibly for avian influenza testing in Ireland.

The council said it and the Cork Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (CSPCA) were providing expert advice to the Department of Agriculture in relation to the bird flu cases in wild birds at the Lough, and they were undertaking intensive monitoring and surveillance of the birds present there.

Agreed protocols are in place to ensure the swift removal of sick or dead birds from the area.

However, the avian influenza virus can survive for several weeks in the environment because the faeces of infected birds contain a high level of virus – an area can remain infective irrespective of whether bird carcasses are removed from an area or not.

Members of the public are advised report any sick or dead birds to the city council, or to the Department of Agriculture via the Avian Check Wild Bird App https://tinyurl.com/4he8h6sf, or by contacting the National Disease Emergency Hotline 01 4928026 outside of office hours.