Negative Test Results on Pheasants in West Cork Announced
IRELAND - Further to its previous announcement confirming that laboratory test results found that the Avian Influenza virus confirmed in samples from pheasants in a flock of game birds in Clonakilty last week was a low pathogenic strain of the virus, the Department has now announced that further tests results from other pheasants linked to the same batch found in Barryroe, West Cork have tested negative for Avian Influenza.
Given the fact that these birds were located in the same area as the Clonakilty birds, these results confirm that the virus has not spread. The birds had already been slaughtered as a precautionary measure and the Department confirmed that the 1km temporary restriction zone that had been established pending the outcome of laboratory tests has now been removed. This means in effect that there are no further restrictions on the movement of poultry, other birds, and their products and other animals on poultry holdings from this area.
The Department had earlier confirmed that the temporary restriction zone in Clonakilty has been replaced by a Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza restriction zone of 1km and this will remain in place for at least 21 days after the preliminary cleaning and disinfection of the infected site has been completed.
Although the Department will continue as it has done over the recent past to monitor the situation closely until the current restrictions in Clonakilty have been lifted permanently, the immediate cause for concern in relation to Avian Influenza has now eased.
Further Reading
5 April 2012
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