A third suspected case of avian influenza found on a farm near Cookstown has been branded as “very concerning” by the President of the Ulster Farmers Union (UFU).
Approximately 32,000 birds at the farm will be culled after the cases were reported on Sunday.
The development will raise the death toll to more than 110,000 birds in the past ten days.
A previous 80,000 birds were culled after suspected cases of bird flu were found on poultry farms in Co Tyrone earlier this month – the first instances of the virus being detected here in over four years.
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is investigating the suspected case and is conducting tests to confirm the presence of avian influenza.
UFU President William Irvine called the development “very concerning” and warned that there is “a lot at stake” for the more than 600 poultry farms in Northern Ireland.
Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph he said: “The fact that there has been three cases in a small area is very concerning – it’s [avian influenza] highly infectious.
“Once it’s here it’s hard to contain. Where it stops or doesn’t stop is hard to call at this stage.”
“It’s a massive industry worth about £600m so there’s a lot at stake. From a farming perspective, the biosecurity needs to be 100% on each poultry unit.”
Temporary Control Zones (TCZs) were established on the Cookstown premises by NI’s Chief Veterinary Officer Brian Dooher in the aftermath of the suspected findings.
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir said has said it’s been “a difficult week for the poultry sector” and reiterated Mr Irvine’s call for maintaining biosecurity on farms.
Mr Muir said: “It has been a difficult week for the poultry sector with three commercial premises to have HPAI confirmed or suspected. My Department is urgently responding and carrying out robust disease control actions, including the humane culling of affected poultry and cleansing and disinfection.
“My Department will continue to work closely with industry stakeholders along with our counterparts in Great Britain and Ireland to stop the spread of this disease.
He added: “Biosecurity is the greatest weapon we have to fight Avian Influenza. It is crucial that all bird keepers adhere to stringent biosecurity measures to protect their flock and report any suspicious cases immediately.
“I strongly encourage all bird keepers to familiarise themselves with the guidance provided by my Department.”
Mr Dooher added: “Disease control measures have been introduced to limit any potential spread of the disease.
“Bird keepers, whether commercial or backyard, must maintain high biosecurity standards and fully comply with all requirements that have been implemented to control this devastating disease.”