Thousands of birds are to be culled after suspected avian flu was reported at a commercial poultry premises.
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) was notified about the suspected case at a business in Dungannon, Co Tyrone, on Friday.
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir said after further investigation appropriate disease control measures had been put in place, including the “humane culling of all poultry on site”, which is 64,000 birds.
He said it was a “precautionary measure”.
Temporary control zones (TCZ) are also in place to mitigate any further spread of the disease.
The North’s Chief veterinary officer, Brian Dooher, appealed to all bird owners, both “backyard and commercial”, to take necessary steps to protect flocks.
“This includes ensuring continuous excellent levels of biosecurity and adhering to all the requirements mandated under the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ),” he said.
Earlier this month preliminary findings of bird flu caused the introduction of a captive bird temporary control zone (CBTCZ) in Co Derry.
The DAERA said the 3km zone around a nature reserve in Magherafelt followed results of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a “small number of captive birds”.
The premises is closed to the public and the chief veterinary officer has put in place a range of immediate restrictions around the site, including the culling of the remaining captive birds.
The CBTCZ places restrictions on all poultry and captive bird keepers within the 3km area around the affected premises.
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