A swan which was found dead in east Cork earlier this week has tested positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) or bird flu.
The Department of Agriculture has confirmed the case, adding that "an increased number of deaths in swans have been reported".
It follows the discovery of a flock of dead swans on private land at Loughaderry Lake near Castlemartyr on Thursday.
RTÉ News understands that 11 swans were found dead at the site.
Cork County Council said it has been in contact with the department in relation to the situation and that "arrangements have been made for the safe and controlled removal of the carcasses," which will be carried out by the Cork County Civil Defence and Department officials.
It is understood the swans will all be tested for the virus.
Cork County Council said it will continue to monitor the situation and "liaise with the relevant authorities as required".
Since last November, a housing order for all poultry and captive birds in Ireland has been in place due to the heightened risk posed by bird flu.
Five outbreaks of the HPAI strain of the virus were detected on commercial poultry farms here over the winter.
Last October, Fota Wildlife Park in Cork was forced to close for ten weeks after an outbreak among captive geese.
Multiple bird flu cases have also been detected on poultry farms in Northern Ireland in recent months - the most recent of which were confirmed on Thursday on a commercial site near Omagh.
Bird flu mainly affects wild birds such as ducks and geese, as well as domestic poultry like chickens.
Any bird that contracts the virus will likely become extremely sick and die.
However, bird flu poses little risk to humans and there is no risk to food such as poultry meat or eggs - so long as they are cooked and prepared properly.
Members of the public are advised not to handle sick or dead wild birds and to report any such incidents via the National Disease Emergency Hotline at 01 492 8026 or via the Department of Agriculture's 'Avian Check' app.
