Fota to remain closed until further notice as bird flu cases confirmed

Fota Wildlife Park is to remain closed until further notice after dead birds at the facility tested positive for bird flu, with further testing to be done today.

A spokesperson for the park told The Echo: “The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has confirmed that samples taken from captive birds which died at Fota Wildlife Park have tested positive for avian influenza virus (H5N1).

“Fota Wildlife Park will remain closed until further notice from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Further updates will be shared in due course.” A statement released by the park on Monday night had said it would be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.

Minister for agriculture, food and the marine, Martin Heydon, confirmed on Tuesday evening that samples taken from captive birds which died at Fota Wildlife Park had tested positive for avian influenza virus.

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 in Kildare.

The preliminary test results were positive for H5N1 avian influenza virus, and further laboratory testing is to be carried out today 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.

Emphasising the importance, of biosecurity to protect poultry and captive birds, the minister said: “Biosecurity is the single most effective way to prevent the virus spreading from wild birds into poultry, or between poultry flocks.

“The detection of H5N1 avian influenza virus in captive birds from Fota Wildlife Park highlights the ongoing risk posed by avian influenza and is a reminder to all who keep poultry, whether commercial holdings or those who have some backyard hens, to stay aware and take precautions to prevent contact with or contamination from wild birds.

“Report any suspicions of avian influenza to your local Regional Veterinary Office without delay.” In recent months, there have been a number of cases of avian influenza detected in wild birds in Ireland, mainly sea birds in coastal areas. Last month, there was an outbreak at The Lough in Cork city. In 2025, a total of 41 cases of avian influenza in wild birds have been detected.

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.