#12,597
While HPAI H5N8 activity across most of Europe has pretty much come to a halt, Belgium today reports their 13th outbreak since June 1st.
On Saturday, France's MOA Reported HPAI H5N8 In Brillon, just across the border, apparently linked to the outbeaks in Belgium.According to Belgium's AFSCA (Federal Agency For Food Safety), all of these outbreaks have been in either wild birds, or small hobby farms, not in large commerical poultry operations.
Press release (Translated)
Avian influenza: new contamination in an amateur breeding in Bassenge
Measurements in Bassenge, Oupeye, Visé and Riemst (05/07/2017)
The highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza virus was once again found in amateur breeding in Bassenge (Liège), bringing the number of official cases to 13. A temporary buffer zone with a radius of 3 km was delimited around the Site, spread over 4 communes: Bassenge, Oupeye, Visé and Riemst (Limburg).
Willy Borsus, Minister of Agriculture: "The number of cases detected now stands at 13, but remember that for now, professional breeders are not affected. I insist once again to ask for vigilance from all. "
Within this zone, movements of poultry, other birds and hatching eggs are prohibited and each keeper must feed and water his poultry indoors. Moreover, the bird and poultry holders of this zone must send to their burgomaster, within 48 hours, an inventory which takes, by species, the number of animals present. This area will be maintained for at least 3 weeks.
The FASFC recalls that professional holders from all over Belgium and amateurs in areas where wild birds are numerous are obliged to feed and water their poultry indoors permanently. These areas are available on the Food Agency website (www.favv.be/santeanimale/grippeaviaire/zonesnaturelles/).
The FASFC asks each bird holder to be vigilant and to call a veterinarian if his birds are sick or die suddenly.
Abnormal mortality in wild birds can always be reported on the toll-free number 0800/99777.
What about the consumption of meat and eggs?
We can totally reassure the consumer that meat and poultry eggs are completely safe and can be eaten safely.
All the measures can be consulted on the FASFC website:
- www.afsca.be/santeanimale/grippeaviaire/
- For the amateurs: www.favv.be/santeanimale/grippeaviaire/detenteursamateurs.asp
