The deadly strain of avian flu, which has killed more than 60 people in Asia, has been spread by wild birds which could bring the disease to Ireland and Britain, a leading ornithologist has warned.
Dr Richard Collins, an acknowledged expert in wildlife, said that while he did not want to create any scare, Ireland should be stockpiling a vaccine against the disease.
Confirmation that the highly potent H5N1 strain of the flu had been found in wild birds in Siberia greatly increased the possibility of the disease being carried here.
A Health Service Executive spokeswoman said last night that orders for a stockpile of vaccine had already been issued."However, there has been no notification from the World Health Organisation of increased risk to humans from avian flu," she said.
"In addition, there is no evidence of sustained transmission of the disease between humans which would cause a pandemic."
Dr Collins said many of the duck species which winter in Ireland and Britain came from Russia, including teal, widgeon and even some mallard. The Berwick swan also travelled here from Siberia, even though most of them wintered in Britain.
Many other common species such as starlings also made the migratory journey and they had been ringed and recovered in many parts of Russia. "These islands are like a giant crossroads for migratory birds from up north during the winter so, if the disease was carried to Britain, I have no doubt but it would also arrive here," Dr Collins said.
He added that birds would be leaving Russia for these parts in the next six weeks.
According to the emergencies minister in Russia there have been no cases of people getting ill. The number of bird deaths since the epidemic hit Russia's Siberia in mid-July rose to 8,347 on Wednesday, while the number on Tuesday was just over 5,580.
Dutch authorities yesterday said migrating birds would be monitored and their droppings examined every week as they would pass the Netherlands at some point.
Here, a committee of officials from the Departments of Agriculture and Health has met to review contingency plans.