Thursday, April 06, 2006
Bird flu alert in Ireland
Officials in County Antrim (Ireland), are reporting that a bird flu alert exists for the area.
Authorities have quarantined an area around a tourist site at Newferry, between Toome and Portglenone.
Department of Agriculture vets are examining two dead swans for the bird flu virus, these swans will be analysed at Stormont later this afternoon.
The problem now facing UK authorities is how to prevent any contamination between wild birds such as swans and the poultry stock which end up on our dinner tables.The poultry industry says there is no need for people to be anxious about eating chicken.
Measures are on standby if a case of bird flu is discovered in Northern Ireland including a 3 km (1.8 Mile) exclusion zone and a strict decontamination program.
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