A potential case of rabies has been reported in Co Cork after a pet was exposed to lyssavirus, a family member of the virus which includes rabies.
A surveillance zone has been set up in the Rebel County by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine after the discovery in a sable.
The small carnivorous mammal showed evidence of being exposed to the virus after a series of tests this month.
The department was made aware of 'erratic behaviour' from the animal at a private premises in Cork where it was being kept as a pet, on January 7 this year.
The animal was euthanised as per the department's procedures, as the investigation could not rule out a rabies infection, Cork Beo reports.
Subsequent further tests by the European Reference Laboratory (EURL) reported that there was evidence of lyssavirus genetic material in brain samples taken from the animal.
The department said in a statement that "based on these EURL results, rabies cannot be ruled out in the sable."
There is no evidence that the animal had contact with any other animals outside the household, and a small number of people who had potential risk exposure to the animal have been identified, with the Health Service Executive following up on the exposed people.
The department have put in place a number of precautionary measures in the South Cork area, with a surveillance zone stretching from Kinsale to the outskirts of the city.
Gatherings of dogs, cats or ferrets - including hunting, sales and fairs - have been prohibited, and people are asked to report any animals found dead in the area to the department.
These measures will remain in place for one month, subject to review, while pet owners have been asked to monitor their pets' behaviour for anything unusual.
Rabies is a serious viral disease that affects the nervous system of humans and animals. It mainly affects carnivores but can affect any animal.
Members of the public in the surveillance zone can contact the department’s regional office in Cork on 021 4851400.
Further information on rabies is available on the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine website.
