Samples taken from birds found dead Fota Wildlife Park have tested positive for bird flu

Samples taken from captive birds found dead at Fota Wildlife Park have tested positive for avian influenza or bird flu, the department of agriculture has confirmed.

The park, which is home to more than 50 species of bird, said in a statement on Monday night that the park would not reopen to the public on Tuesday and Wednesday due to suspected avian influenza.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, confirmed to The Echo on Tuesday evening that samples taken from captive birds which died at Fota Wildlife Park have tested positive for avian influenza virus.

A statement from the minister said: “Following a report from a veterinary practitioner to the Department, samples from a number of captive birds which had died at Fota were tested for avian influenza virus in the Department’s veterinary laboratory in Backweston, Co. Kildare.

“The preliminary test results are positive for H5N1 avian influenza virus. Further laboratory testing will be carried out tomorrow to determine pathogenicity. A veterinary epidemiological investigation is being carried out, and the results of this will inform decisions on the management of this situation.” 

The HSE-HPSC has advised that the risk to public health from the strain of avian influenza currently circulating (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza subtype H5N1) is considered low for the general public, and low to medium for occupationally exposed people.

In 2025, a total of 41 cases of avian influenza in wild birds have been detected in Ireland he said, as this latest outbreak comes weeks after an outbreak in The Lough.

Mr Heydon added encouraged people to report any suspicions of avian influenza to their local Regional Veterinary Office without delay.