A household is understood to be under quarantine as inquiries continued regarding emus being brought to the island.

A reporter and multimedia team with The Royal Gazette visited a Smith’s residence yesterday, where they spotted the large bird in a fenced-off area.

When the reporter spoke to a woman on the property, she said she had been under quarantine for about a month and would have to stay in isolation for another month.

A sign on the premises stated that the movement of animals and unnecessary personnel had been prohibited by the Chief Veterinary Officer under Regulation 7 of the Agriculture (Control of Animal Disease) Regulations 1947.

It is understood that there are at least two people quarantined in the residence.

The woman declined to share any further information and directed any queries to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Questions have been sent to DENR regarding the quarantine and its reasoning, what will happen to the animal and any implications for the owners of pet birds.

The Government this week launched an investigation into the potentially illegal presence of emus, which can grow up to six feet and weigh up to 145lb, and possibly other exotic birds.

Officers with DENR identified birds that seemed to have been imported without the required approvals and whose origin or health status could not be confirmed.

The Chief Veterinary Officer issued a “restriction of movement” order to ground birds such as poultry, backyard chickens, pet birds and other kept birds until September 21.

A DENR spokeswoman said the grounding was done as a precaution to prevent any disease outbreaks, although at the time there was no evidence of an outbreak.

She explained: “Some bird diseases can affect poultry, pet birds, wildlife and, in some cases, people.

“Bermuda’s farming community, bird owners and natural environment all depend on keeping these diseases out of the island.”

The spokeswoman said the grounding did not apply to birds receiving veterinarian treatment at a clinic or in the home.

She later added that the department was gathering information to “better understand the situation” before making a decision about enforcement action.

Bird owners were asked to keep their animals in secure locations and to avoid moving them between properties or giving them to others during the grounding period.

They were also urged to keep pet or farm birds away from wild birds and to practise good hygiene when handling birds, their feed or their enclosures.

Bird illnesses and unusual deaths should be reported to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The emu, a flightless bird native to Australia, is one of the world’s largest birds. Emu chicks can reach full size by about six months and can live for 20 years in captivity and ten years in the wild.