Bird Flu Confirmed at Cork's The Lough as Visitors Urged to Avoid Contact with Wild Birds
‼️ Cork City Council confirms bird flu at The Lough. Visitors urged: don't touch sick/dead birds, keep dogs leashed.
Update 12:00: A temporary ban on fishing has been introduced at the amenity and its bird feeder has been decommissioned temporarily, as a precaution.
Cork City Council has confirmed multiple cases of avian influenza at The Lough wildfowl sanctuary, prompting urgent safety advice for visitors to the popular southside amenity.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1), commonly known as bird flu, has been detected in several dead birds found at The Lough following laboratory testing. The viral disease is currently circulating among wild bird populations across Ireland.
Cork City Council has issued clear safety guidance for anyone visiting the area. Visitors must not touch sick or dead wild birds, avoid handling bird feathers found in the area, and refrain from bringing sick wild birds home. Pet owners are advised to keep dogs on leashes where sick or dead birds are present.
Bird flu affects the respiratory, digestive and nervous systems of wild birds and poultry. While highly contagious among birds, human infections remain very rare, though the virus can pose a threat to people and other animals in certain circumstances.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine holds responsibility for avian influenza testing in Ireland. Cork City Council manages The Lough site, working alongside the Cork Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to provide expert advice to DAFM regarding the outbreak.
Intensive monitoring and surveillance of birds at The Lough is now underway, with agreed protocols ensuring swift removal of sick or dead birds from the area. However, the avian influenza virus can survive for several weeks in the environment, as infected bird droppings contain high levels of the virus.
The public can report sick or dead birds to Cork City Council or to DAFM through the Avian Check Wild Bird App or by contacting the National Disease Emergency Hotline on 01 492 8026 for out-of-hours reports.
The Lough remains one of Cork's most visited amenities, making public awareness of these safety measures crucial for protecting both visitors and wildlife during the ongoing outbreak.
