“Although the risk of contracting the disease from a wild bird is very low, we recommend that people do not handle sick or dead wild birds, remain vigilant & report dead wild seabirds, waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or birds of prey to the Department of Agriculture”
As you are all aware, bird flu has been reported in Cork.
We would like to remind members of the public not to approach any sick or deceased bird found.
Please report to the Department of Agriculture.
Unfortunately, we cannot admit any birds into our care as this puts the birds we have at high risk.
“It is also important to note that potentially sick birds should not be brought to wildlife rehabilitators or animal rescues centres, as this could risk infecting the birds already in their care.”
What to do if you suspect your own flock or have found a wild bird that has been infected.
Avian influenza is a notifiable disease. If you have any concern that your flock has avian influenza, take immediate action. House or confine the birds away from other birds immediately and report the suspect case to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Contact your local Regional Veterinary Office (RVO) or the Avian Influenza Hotline on 01 607 2512 (9am-6pm).
Outside of office hours, you can ring the National Disease Emergency Hotline on 01 492 8026 (which is operational 365 days of the year) to report a suspect case.
If you have found a bird/wild bird that you speculate to be infected, please contact the given hot line as well.
gov.ie. (2020). Avian Influenza (bird flu). [online] Available at: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/publications/avian-influenza-bird-flu/#what-to-do-if-you-suspect-your-flock-has-been-infected [Accessed 16 Oct. 2025].
