Another outbreak of avian influenza, or bird flu, on a commercial turkey farm has been confirmed by the Department of Agriculture.
The latest cases of the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of the virus were detected in the flock on the farm near Kells, Co Meath.
Restriction zones have been established around the site, comprising a 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone.
It follows the confirmation of a bird flu outbreak on a Carlow turkey farm yesterday, which was the first outbreak in a commercial poultry flock in Ireland since 2023.
It's understood the farm in Meath at the centre of the latest detection of the disease is a significantly bigger operation than the Carlow one.
The cases come after the Department of Agriculture earlier announced a compulsory housing order for poultry and captive birds amid the heightened risk from bird flu.
The order will come into effect from Monday 10 November, while a similar measure is due to be introduced for the UK tomorrow, which will include Northern Ireland.
It follows the introduction of new biosecurity regulations for poultry farms at the start of this month, in response to the increased risk posed to flocks from bird flu circulating among the wild-bird population.
So far this year bird flu has been detected in more than 40 wild birds.
Housing order will 'protect our national flock' - Heydon
Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has said that a compulsory housing order is being introduced for poultry and captive birds "to protect our national flock" amid the heightened risk from bird flu.
Mr Heydon described it as "really disappointing" and offered his sympathies to the people affected, including the flock owner, saying "it's their livelihood, their business".
However, he told RTÉ's Drivetime that the housing order alone will not stop the spread of the disease, which is circulating among the wild bird population.
"The most important measure that we all can take is enhanced biosecurity measures.
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"We have enhanced biosecurity measures in place that other flock owners will be trying to do, which is ultimately about keeping our poultry away from wild birds," Mr Heydon said.
Ireland is heading into the most dangerous time of the year for avian flu, which comes in with migratory birds, the minister added.
"The virus lasts a little bit longer because the temperatures have dropped. The highest risk period is from now until next April."
Asked why the housing order will not take effect in Ireland until Monday, Mr Heydon said that not every owner will be in a position to house their flock immediately and will have to get housing ready.
"I didn’t want to introduce mandatory housing tomorrow that would automatically make someone on the wrong side of the law ... I didn’t want to do that to them."
He also said he did not accept that the five-day period before the order comes into force could lead to the further contamination of flocks, stating that owners are already taking significant measures.
"We know there is a risk in terms of the spread of this disease in different areas ... everyone who can do it sooner will do ... the housing order alone isn’t the silver bullet here."
Mr Heydon said that affected flock owners will be compensated and he reminded people not to handle sick or dead wild birds.
"The general public has a role to play here too. Highly pathogenic avian influenza is present and has been present in our wild bird population.
"If members of the public see a sick, dead or dying bird, it is important that they don’t handle them" but report them to the regional veterinary office or contact the Department of Agriculture.
The minister stressed that there is no risk to the public from properly cooked eggs or poultry meat.
Although avian influenza can be very contagious between birds, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) and the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) advise that the risk to public health from the strain circulating is very low.
Carlow outbreak 'very worrying' - IFA
The Irish Farmers' Association said the discovery at the commercial turkey farm in Co Carlow was "very worrying".
National Chair of the IFA's Poultry Committee, Nigel Sweetnam, said the pattern of bird flu is changing and presents in a new form every year.
"It's a mutating disease and every year presents in a new form and new challenges. It arrived probably a month earlier than normal, and in different geographical locations, with two outbreaks in Cork, where we haven't seen it very much before.
Mr Sweetnam advised farmers to consult with their vets if they have concerns about their flock.
It comes after Fota Wildlife Park announced that it will remain closed until at least the end of the month due to an "ongoing assessment of the national avian flu situation".
Members of the public are advised not to handle sick or dead wild birds and to report any episodes of sick or dead wild birds to their regional veterinary office or, if outside business hours, to contact the National Disease Emergency Hotline on 01 4928026 or use the Department of Agriculture's 'Avian Check' app.
