[ad_1]
The samples will be sent to the European Union reference laboratory for further testing to determine if the virus is associated with the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N8 subtype) in Europe.
Wherever bird carcasses have been found, SFVS veterinarians will take the necessary precautions to prevent further spread of the virus.
Arno Strumilos / 15min nuotr./Kalakutai
On Friday, a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (subtype H5N8) was also confirmed in Lithuania at a poultry farm, where 27 poultry (chickens, turkeys, geese and ducks) were raised for their own needs.
Suspicions of this disease arose in Kaunas, Petrašiūnai district, on a small farm in Amaliai district, after the sudden death of several chickens and turkeys. Carcass specimen testing confirmed the highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza virus.
Restriction and monitoring zones have been established around the affected farm, the remaining live birds will be safely destroyed and the farm will be cleaned and disinfected. Commercial poultry farms are not included in the restricted and control areas.
SFVS Kaunas Department specialists are obliged to search all small bird housing areas that are within the restricted zone to be monitored.
Irmanto Gelūno / 15min nuotr./Žąsys
This is the first case in the history of Lithuania where avian influenza has been detected in poultry, while wild birds (mute swans) were diagnosed with this virus in 2017.
This is the first case in Lithuanian history in which avian influenza has been detected in poultry farms.
Although this strain of avian influenza does not pose a risk to human health, the risk of it spreading to poultry farms remains high. Therefore, bird owners and breeders are encouraged to protect their poultry from contact with wild waterfowl.
Photo from 123RF.com / Chickens in the meadow
It is recalled that poultry farmers should restrict the free movement of poultry outdoors and only allow them to enter outdoor areas (their own yards) that are equipped or fenced in such a way that the poultry do not have direct contact with the poultry. nature. Any changes in behavior or signs of health problems in farm birds should be reported immediately to the veterinarian or the SFVS regional unit.
SFVS specialists point out that in 2020. The spread of the avian influenza virus in Europe, which has affected both wild birds and poultry farms, has caused the death of almost 9 million people. poultry. Most European countries are battling this highly contagious disease.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza in poultry farms in 2020 detected in 16 European countries, with the highest number of outbreaks in Hungary (273), Poland (51), France (35), Germany (29) and the United Kingdom (15). Isolated cases of this strain of avian influenza have been reported in other countries: 9 in the Netherlands, Bulgaria and Ukraine, 3 in Slovakia, 2 in Denmark, Sweden, the Czech Republic and Romania, and one in Belgium, Ireland and Croatia.
Several countries have identified highly pathogenic avian influenza, for example in birds kept in zoos, parks or exhibits (9 in the Netherlands, 2 in Germany and the United Kingdom, and one in Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Slovakia and Norway). as a result, almost 2,000. birds.
During 2020 After the detection of cases of milder (low pathogenicity) avian influenza in Europe, almost 192 thousand more farms were destroyed in Italian farms, the Netherlands, Belgium, the United Kingdom and Denmark. birds.
It is observed that during periods of particularly active migration of wild birds (and the movement of birds that remain in place), the introduction of this virus in increasingly new areas poses a significant risk of the virus entering poultry farms. Furthermore, falling winter temperatures can increase the movement of wild birds and accelerate the survival of avian influenza viruses in the environment. The risk of spreading the infection is increased by the flock of birds during migrations and the mixing of wild birds of different geographical origins.
According to experts, the dynamics of the spread of avian influenza among wild birds is complex and can vary from country to country due to the time of departure and return of migratory birds, bird species and susceptibility to disease. the immunity of locally present wild and migratory birds. infected migratory birds.
It is emphasized that the main measure for the prevention of avian influenza is the application of adequate biosecurity measures, which are necessary and mandatory for farmers and poultry farmers to prevent the virus from entering the farms.
The risk of transmission of avian influenza viruses to the human population remains very low in Europe, according to experts, but further monitoring and analysis of viral developments is needed to assess the risk of transmission to humans.
[ad_2]
