The Irish Farmers' Association 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.
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.
IFA Poultry Chair Nigel Sweetnam said flock owners "must work to guarantee the tightest controls are in place".
"The housing order takes effect from next Monday, but producers should house their birds now and take the necessary steps to protect their birds," he added.
Mr Sweetnam said producers "should go through their biosecurity protocols in detail and ensure there are no gaps anywhere".
"Housing the birds is an additional protection, but effective biosecurity protocols that minimise the risk are our number one defence," he said.
Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon said the aim of the housing order is "to reduce the threat to our industry and to our poultry farmers' livelihoods".
He added that "reducing the opportunity for contact with potentially infected wild birds is crucial as this is one of the main ways in which the virus can spread".
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".
