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While most of Europe remains quiet on the bird flu front, Bulgaria's HPAI H5N8 woes have continued throughout the summer (see here, here, here, and here) and into the fall (see Oct 18th's Bulgaria: 2 Outbreaks Of Avian Flu).
While the number of bird flu outbreaks in Bulgaria's pale compared to Russia's summer surge in HPAI H5 (see Brief ESA Report On HPAI H5N2 & H5Nx In Russia), both Bulgaria and Western Russia lie under the migratory flyways that lead from Siberia to Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
As we move deeper into fall and winter, the risks of seeing additional outbreaks of HPAI avian flu outbreaks is only expected to increase as migratory birds over winter in warmer climes.
Bulgaria's Bulgaria's Food Safety Agency reports two additional outbreaks in the previously hit southern Haskovo district.
BVBH found Avian influenza in two livestock farms in the village of Garvanovo and Malevo, Haskovo municipality, Haskovo district
29.10.2018
8088
The Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BNSA) has identified two primary outbreaks of the avian influenza (influenza) disease in livestock farms intended for the husbandry of duck moths located in the village of Garvanovo and Malevo, Haskovo municipality, Haskovo district. The disease was confirmed by a laboratory test report.
For the control and eradication of the disease, NVS started implementing all measures in accordance with current legislation. Humane killing and destruction of all birds kept in affected sites has been undertaken. Cleaning and disinfection will be carried out at the poultry farms. The 3-kilometer protection zones and 10-kilometer surveillance zones around the outbreaks have been identified. The movement of birds and products thereof into and out of the protection and surveillance zone and the holding of markets and exhibitions of live birds and the keeping of birds outdoors are prohibited. In both areas, the marketing and movement of domestic, wild and other breeding birds and eggs, as well as the displacement of birds for the renewal of the wild game stock, are prohibited. Daily clinical examinations of birds kept in other settlements in the protection zone are performed.
The surveillance and biosecurity measures at poultry sites, as well as in the water basins where the wild bird population is heavily concentrated, have been strengthened.
There is an epizootic study of the causes of the disease.
The NVS reminds that compliance with biosecurity measures is a key element in disease prevention. Feed should be kept indoors as well as feedstocks - thus avoiding the possibility of wild feathered animals infesting the feed, and hence the animals being infected with the virus.
At this stage there are no people affected and there is no danger to consumers.
