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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Lauren Harte

Six confirmed cases of Avian flu discovered among wild birds

Avian influenza has been discovered in six wild birds in Northern Ireland.

The birds were found at Belfast Waterworks, the Harbour Estate in Belfast and at Monlough lake near Carryduff.

The Department of Environment and Rural Affairs confirmed that tests had been carried out and proved positive, BBC News NI reports.

On Friday, a suspected case of bird flu was discovered in a backyard flock in Broughshane, Co Antrim and disease control measures were put in place.

Another was identified on a poultry farm in Aughnacloy, Co Tyrone, leading to the culling of 27,000 ducks.

The strain of avian influenza (H5N1) is described as "highly pathogenic", as it is often fatal to birds that catch it.

There have been more than 180 confirmed cases of H5N1 detected in wild birds across Great Britain.

The Republic of Ireland has reported 50 cases in wild birds at eight locations.

Members of the public are encouraged to report dead waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or gulls, or five or more dead wild birds of other species in the same location, to the Department of Agriculture helpline on 0300 200 7840.

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