Bird flu outbreak confirmed on Monaghan turkey farm

Officials are concerned given the high concentration of poultry farms in counties Cavan and Monaghan.

AN outbreak of bird flu has been confirmed on a commercial turkey farm in Co Monaghan.

It's the third outbreak in less than a week as one was confirmed in carlow last Tuesdaty and another near kells Co Meath in Wednesday.

This third case was found on a commercial premises near Clontibret.

It comes as a housing order for all pultry and captive birds came into effect across the country from today.

Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has expressed his "sympathies to the flock owners affected".

He also said the Monaghan outbreak underlines the "ongoing risk" avian influenza poses to poultry and captive birds.

"A strict and meticulous attention to biosecurity by all those who keep polutry or captive birds is the best way to protect our flocks from further outbreaks during this very cahllenging higher risk winter period," the minister said.