The first case of bird flu in Northern Ireland has been confirmed in County Londonderry.
The avian influenza strain H5N8 was discovered in a dead wild swan near Lough Beg.
The swan was reported to the Department of Agriculture by a member of the public and was submitted for testing at the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute where it was found to have H5N8 avian influenza.
This finding follows the extension of a Prevention Zone in Northern Ireland until 16 March 2017 which requires all keepers of poultry and other captive birds to keep their birds indoors, or take appropriate steps to keep them separate and protect them from wild birds.
There have been multiple confirmed cases of bird flu among wild and farmed birds in Great Britain in recent months.
Robert Huey, Stormont's chief veterinary officer, said the finding of bird flu in Northern Ireland was "not unexpected" and that it was "possible that more cases will be confirmed".
Mr Huey said: “Even when birds are housed there is still a risk of infection and biosecurity should not be compromised. Clothing and equipment should be disinfected, the movement of poultry should be reduced and contact between poultry and wild birds should be minimised.”
