Europe sees fresh outbreak of highly contagious bird flu; tightens poultry farm measures

Fresh outbreaks of highly contagious avian bird flu (HPAI) have cropped up across poultry farms in several countries in Europe, affecting over half a million birds, World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) said on Monday. From 5 major outbreaks, four were documented at a turkey-fattening farm and one at a chicken broiler in eastern part of country. On or hand, ar outbreak was reported from a turkey and geese farm in western part of country, OIE stated, citing Polish authorities' evaluations based on laboratory tests of National Veterinary Institute, National Research Institute in Pulawy.  

At least 6,50,000 flock of birds have been affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza found in poultry of H5N1 sub, as per  report published by Polish authorities. Meanwhile, ar report released by UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs observed significant epidemiological changes of HPAI both in Europe and Great Britain. As of 2 vember, re were reports of HPAI H5N1 cases from domestic poultry in Nerlands, Germany and rrn Europe, while from sourn Europe re were at least 6 cases recorded in fattening turkey farms in orrn Italy.

re were also cases among captive birds in a zoo and wild ducks in areas of Serbia and Montenegro assessed on same day, outbreak assessment report by UK Environment Department mentioned. "More wild bird H5N1 cases have been detected in Wden Sea around rth-west Germany/Denmark and re is also a case of HPAI H5N1 in wild birds in south-east Germany on border with Czech Republic," report stated. last HPAI outbreak in Poland was reported on 4 vember on a commercial farm in Skwierzyna with around 1,500 fattening turkeys and 5,500 geese. As per Polish authorities, on-farm outbreaks were dealt with equate disease control methods as stipulated by Commission Delegated Regulation under European Union (EU), "including killing and utilisation of animals, cleaning and disinfection in focus of disease, designation of infected and endangered areas."

French govt. puts country on high alert for bird flu

Recently, France issued a high alert in entire country after reports of bird flu surfaced in Europe, agriculture ministry said in a statement. Europe has reported at least 130 cases of HPAI/H5N1 cases or clusters in wild animals or farms. measures to contain flu spre include keeping poultry flock indoors. "Reinforced prevention measures will refore be implemented to protect poultry farms," ministry said. Similar measures have also been implemented in Nerlands after at least 36,000 birds were slaughtered owing to highly contagious cases of bird influenza.

(Im: AP)