Positive cases of bird flu have been found in two fox cubs, as well as in wild birds in Portrush, Co Antrim.
The Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has confirmed the positive results for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) or bird flu. It is the first time mammals have been confirmed as having bird flu in Northern Ireland.
There have been positive cases of HPAI in mammals over recent months across Europe, Great Britain, and the Republic of Ireland.
The most recent findings from Portrush were detected as part of DAERA’s routine disease surveillance, and the laboratory has confirmed the strain of the disease as H5N1 in both the fox cubs and wild birds.
DAERA is encouraging the public to keep their dogs on leads and keep pets away from carcasses, particularly in coastal areas.
The public is also being urged to report any findings of dead wild birds through the new online reporting form on the DAERA website.