The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) has called on poultry flock owners across the country to adopt a "laser-like focus on biosecurity" after confirmation yesterday of a case of avian influenza, or bird flu, on a second commercial turkey farm.
The latest outbreak of the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of the virus was detected in a flock on a farm near Kells, Co Meath.
A 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone are in place around the site.
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It follows the confirmation of a bird flu outbreak on a turkey farm in Co Carlow on Tuesday, which was the first outbreak in a commercial poultry flock in Ireland since 2023.
It is understood the farm in Co Meath is a significantly bigger operation than the Co Carlow farm and supplies turkeys to many of the major supermarkets.
The Department of Agriculture has announced a compulsory housing order for poultry and captive birds amid the heightened risk from bird flu.
It will take effect next Monday, 10 November.
A similar measure is in place for Northern Ireland from today.
Nigel Sweetman, the IFA's Poultry Committee Chair said farmers implementing their biosecurity measures means there is "no room for error".
Speaking on RTÉ's Drivetime, he said: "We've a very strict protocol and this evening at 8 o'clock we're doing an online webinar on the refresher course on what's involved."
Mr Sweetman said that at this stage, hair nets are also going to be recommended.
He said poultry farmers have been dealing with the disease for the last five years "and year by year it seems to be getting worse".
"We have evolved in our housing, we're carrying less stock per square metre in our houses now.
"We've put enrichments into the houses to entertain the birds, things like...perches...bales of straw..natural perching that can mimic natural activity, what they [birds] would be doing outside.
"So we're well prepared for this and that's why we said we're ready to go [on the housing order]," he said.
Mr Sweetman said farmers are as worried about private owners who have up to half a dozen hens or birds in their yard as they are about their own flocks "because their welfare must be as important to everybody, these are people's pets and they also need to be minded".
Watch: Cork turkey farmer says bird flu outbreak would mean financial ruin
Livestock workers urged to get flu vaccine
The Director of National Health Protection with the HSE has urged people who could potentially be exposed to avian flu to get the flu vaccine.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Dr Éamon O’Moore said the vaccine is available free of charge to those who have regular close contact with poultry, waterfowl or pigs.
He explained there is a concern that there can be a degree of "mixing" if a person with flu is exposed to bird flu.
Dr O'Moore said it is a theoretical risk but "we want to ensure that occupationally exposed people are protected".
