Call for lay TB testers to help reduce vet workload
The ICMSA has said that non-vet TB testers – like those used in England and Wales - could help reduce workloads for vets, particularly during busy spring periods to allow them to focus on 'other critical areas' of animal health.
In England and Wales, Approved Tuberculin Testers (ATTs) support vets in delivering TB testing of cattle. However, a spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, told the Farming Independent that TB testing in Ireland is carried out by approved private veterinary practitioners or DAFM Veterinary Inspectors with 'no plans currently to change this'.
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Irish Independent
an hour ago
- Irish Independent
Bid to name new children's hospital after Mayo 1916 figure overlooked by the Government
However, Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill announced last week that the hospital will formally be named the National Children's Hospital Ireland (NCHI). Mayo TD Rose Conway-Walsh has said this decision is "Outrageous and deeply disappointing to not only the people of Mayo but to, I believe, most people living on this island." The 'Children's Health (Ospidéal Náisiúnta Kathleen Lynn do Leanaí) (Amendment) Bill' was proposed by Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh and co-sponsored by Deputy Conway-Walsh, along with her colleagues Deputy Máire Devine and Deputy David Cullinane. Speaking to the Irish Independent, the Sinn Féin TD said, "Dr Kathleen Lynn was the most senior ranking woman in the 1916 Rising and set up Ireland's very first children's hospital, "There is no better way to acknowledge the pioneering work she did and the children's lives she saved than naming the National Children's Hospital after her." Dr Kathleen Lynn was from Mullafarry outside of Killala in County Mayo. She established Ireland's first children's hospital, named Saint Ultan's, on Charlemont Street in 1919. Dr Lynn helped lead efforts to eradicate TB through the rollout of the BCG vaccine. She was also the most senior-ranked woman in the 1916 Easter Rising, offering first aid to wounded soldiers at City Hall. Deputy Conway-Walsh continued, "The Dáil had unanimously passed the first stage of Sinn Féin's Bill to name the hospital in Dr Lynn's honour. The Seanad also voted unanimously on two occasions for the naming of the hospital Dr Lynn, including one motion put forward by Fianna Fáil themselves." In addition to the three separate votes on this matter, a petition had gathered nearly 6,000 signatures in support of naming the hospital in honour of Dr Lynn. The naming was also backed by trade unions and historians. "To think that all this was ignored by this government demonstrates an arrogance, and I believe is disrespectful of not only a remarkable woman but democracy itself," said Deputy Conway-Walsh. The NCHI is currently under construction, with its completion date having been delayed fifteen times over the last four years. It is set to be a state-of-the-art facility bringing together the children's hospitals in Temple Street, Crumlin and Tallaght. ADVERTISEMENT In a statement from the Department of Health, Minister Carroll MacNeil announced the formal name for the hospital, stating, "This name was chosen, in consultation with parents, families, staff and the Youth Advisory Council." The Minister for Health said the name was chosen so there would be "no doubt" in people's minds as to where they are going when they have an appointment at NCHI, "When a parent or guardian is getting off a train at Heuston or Connolly and getting a taxi for their child's appointment, they'll be able to say: 'take me to the National Children's Hospital Ireland'." In relation to Dr Kathleen Lynn, the Minister said, "I look forward to discussing the ways we can honour her work within the NCHI". Dr Lynn was born in Mullafarry outside Killala, County Mayo, in 1874. Her father was a Church of Ireland minister, and her mother hailed from Sligo. She graduated in 1899 with a degree in medicine and went on to become a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons after completing her postgraduate work in the US. Dr Lynn was the first female resident at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, where she worked as a clinical assistant while also running her own GP practice in Rathmines. During her time in Dublin, Dr Lynn became active in the Suffragette and Nationalist movements. She was a member of the Irish Citizen Army and was the chief medical officer during the 1916 Easter Rising, stationed at City Hall. Dr Lynn provided first aid to wounded soldiers and, according to her own diary entries, was a witness to the shooting of James Connolly. Dr Lynn was arrested by British forces on Easter Monday and imprisoned. After her arrest, Dr Lynn continued her work with Sinn Féin and was elected vice-president of the executive in 1917. She would later be elected as an anti-Treaty Sinn Féin TD in the 1923 general election, but did not take her seat. In 1919, she opened Saint Ultan's Hospital on Charlemont Street. This was Ireland's first children's hospital, it provided care for less fortunate children as well as employment opportunities for female doctors. St Ultan's initiated one of the first TB vaccine campaigns in Ireland.
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Do not touch' – Health alert issued over seagulls & other wild sea birds as pet owners urged to ‘keep dogs on lead'
HEALTH chiefs have warned of the danger of touching sick or dead wild birds - over risks of bird flu. In recent weeks, groups of dead wild sea birds have been discovered off the west coast of Ireland. 4 A strain of Avian Influenza is circulating in sea birds Credit: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire 4 The cases of bird flu detected in wild birds following surveillance testing Credit: The Health Protection Surveillance Centre said avian influenza is a type of influenza that mainly affects wild But it can also occasionally infect some mammals and humans. Officials at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine warned of the disease today. They said: 'Avian Influenza Bird flu is circulating in sea birds. READ MORE ON HEALTH NEWS 'Do not pick up or touch sick or dead wild birds, and keep your pets away from them. 'If you find a sick or dead wild bird, you can report it using the Avian Influenza Wild Bird reporting The While there are many strains of HPAI viruses, the H5N1 virus is considered the 'most serious' for both birds and humans. Most read in Health There have been almost 1,000 human cases of H5N1, half of whom have died, since 2003. The HSPC said it is 'very unusual' for people to catch bird flu but it can happen. They said: 'Currently, it is hard to catch avian influenza from a bird or animal, and there is no evidence that it can be passed between people, but if the virus mutates (changes) this may happen in the future.' HSPC Advice Why it's important to prevent people getting H5N1: It can - rarely - produce serious disease in people Mixing of avian influenza and seasonal flu in a person could allow the virus to mutate and become better at spreading between people If a person is infected with HPAI, it could be passed from people to Irish poultry flocks leading to severe disease among birds. Minister for Agriculture Martin Heyden told He said: "In the past three weeks, there have been a number of reports of groups of dead wild sea birds washing up on shorelines in counties Kerry, Clare and Galway. "In two instances, a wild sea bird which washed up on a beach tested positive for H5N1 avian influenza virus, with one case in Kerry and one in Galway." If a person picks up or handles infected, sick or dead wild birds, they will be monitored for a period of 10 days. They may be offered antiviral medication and vaccination if they are considered to be at risk. 4 The public is being urged to report any sick or dead wild birds Credit: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine 4 Minister Heydon said flocks of dead birds were found in Kerry, Clare and Galway Credit: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
RTÉ News
6 days ago
- RTÉ News
Warning issued after strain of avian influenza detected in wild sea birds
The Department of Agriculture has issued a warning after a strain of avian influenza - or bird flu - was detected in a number of wild sea birds off the west coast of Ireland in recent weeks. Minister for Agriculture Martin Heyden said that "in the past three weeks, there have been a number of reports of groups of dead wild sea birds washing up on shorelines in counties Kerry, Clare and Galway. "In two instances, a wild sea bird which washed up on a beach tested positive for H5N1 avian influenza virus, with one case in Kerry and one in Galway." Members of the public are advised not to touch or pick up dead wild birds and to keep pet dogs on a leash in areas where there are sick or dead wild birds. Meanwhile, poultry farmers in coastal areas of Kerry, Clare and Galway have been advised to implement stringent biosecurity measures to mitigate the risk of the disease spreading to their flocks. Farmers are also asked to report any suspicions of avian influenza to their local Regional Veterinary Office. The department also said the public can continue to report incidents of dead wild birds via its Avian Check app. The HSE and Health Protection Surveillance Centre have advised that the risk to public health from the strain of avian influenza currently circulating (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza subtype H5N1) is considered low for the general public, and low to medium for occupationally exposed people. Special biosecurity regulations for poultry were in place due to the increased risk of bird flu from last December to the end of May. No outbreaks of the high pathogenic HPAI strain were detected in commercial poultry flocks in Ireland last year or so far in 2025.
