Northern Ireland farmers have been urged to watch their poultry vigilantly following the outbreak of the lethal H5N1 strain of avian influenza in the east of England.
Three million chickens are produced in Northern Ireland every week. There are concerns that sales will drop, although officials say bird flu cannot be contracted through consumption.
Chief veterinary officer Bert Houston said farmers should keep their poultry away from wild birds. Wild birds should not be able to gain access to the food or water for poultry.
"For the public there's information about," Mr Houston said. "If they find collections of wild birds for instance which have died, there's information on our website about how to contact us and let us know about that," he added.
The Department of Agriculture in the North is working with its counterparts in Britain and the Republic to monitor the situation.