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Cork City Council Issues Bird Flu Confirmation and Advisory for The Lough Bird Sanctuary

23/09/2025

People visiting The Lough amenity in Cork city are still being advised to avoid contact with sick or dead wild birds they might find there following confirmation of several cases of avian influenza at the wildfowl sanctuary.

A temporary ban on fishing there remains in place and its bird feeder has been decommissioned temporarily.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has now confirmed that low-pathogenic avian influenza viruses were isolated from mallards in the Lough which had been submitted to the Department’s Regional Veterinary Laboratory in Cork for testing.

Laboratory testing carried out by the department has confirmed that these mallards did not have highly pathogenic avian influenza virus.

Whilst low-pathogenic avian influenza viruses do not pose a risk to human health, the public are still advised not to touch or pick up dead wild birds, and to keep pet dogs on a leash in areas where sick or dead wild birds may be present.

In birds, including in poultry, such low-pathogenic viruses can cause a much less serious form of avian influenza which does not require the same control measures as highly pathogenic avian influenza would.

The threat of avian influenza remains a concern, so all those who keep poultry, whether backyard hens or large commercial flocks, should practice strict biosecurity to protect their birds from becoming infected.

Biosecurity is the single most effective way to prevent the virus spreading from wild birds into poultry, or between poultry flocks.

People visiting the Lough should adhere to the following advice:

  • Do not touch sick or dead wild birds, and do not handle bird feathers found in the area;
  • Do not to bring sick wild birds home;
  • Keep pets away from sick and dead wild birds - dogs should be kept on a leash where sick or dead wild birds are present.

Bird flu or avian influenza is a viral disease which affects the respiratory, digestive and/or nervous system of many species of wild birds and poultry.

It is highly contagious amongst birds and it is a notifiable animal disease.

It can also pose a threat to people and other animals in certain circumstances, but these types of infections are rare.

It is very unusual for people to catch bird flu.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has responsibly for avian influenza testing in Ireland. The Lough is managed by Cork City Council.

The city council and the Cork Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (CSPCA) are providing expert advice to the department in relation to the bird flu cases and they are undertaking intensive monitoring and surveillance of the birds present there. 

Agreed protocols are in place to ensure the swift removal of sick or dead birds from the area.

  

The public can and should report any sick or dead birds to the city council, or to the DAFM via the local regional veterinary office by using the Avian Check Wild Bird App https://aviancheck.apps.services.agriculture.gov.ie/, or by contacting the National Disease Emergency Hotline 01 492 8026 (outside office hours).

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