Outbreak of fowl pest hits Lurgan

IT was believed in May 1970, that up to 1,000 birds had been slaughtered due to an outbreak of fowl pest in the Lurgan Area.

Until this time three cases of the disease, which affects all species of birds, had been notified and the Ministry of Agriculture’s Order banning poultry show was to continue for a further month.

As a result the poultry section at the Lurgan Show had been cancelled as the show date fell within the period of restriction.

Symptoms of the disease included respiratory distress, diarrhoea, severe prostration and sudden death.

It was characterised by its sudden onset and rapid spread.

A Ministry veterinary officer told the ‘MAIL’ that it was too soon to say if the outbreak had been contained.

The two further cases notified involved exotic birds and bantams and in each instance there had been direct contact with the first case reported in the area.

The spokesman added that by definition in the order, the term poultry included pigeons.

Asked if there would be a ban on pigeon racing he said that at that stage the Ministry did not think such a course would be justified.

He said: “We have had no blood reaction in any tests we carried out, though the pigeons have been on premises where there were affected birds.