Two wild birds tested positive for the H5N8 virus of Avian Flu. It is more precisely a duck of the species of tufted scaups and a black-headed gull. The results of the laboratory analyzes were made public on Saturday 12 November by the Federal Office for Food Safety and Veterinary Affairs (FSVO). “There is nothing to indicate that it is transmissible to humans,” said Vaud cantonal veterinarian Giovanni Peduto, quoted by the Geneva Tribune. However, vigilance is being stepped up in Switzerland and preventive measures have been put in place to prevent transmission of the virus to domestic poultry. A single bird can infect an entire flock, as the virus can pass from one bird to another through feces or body fluids.
A kilometer-wide protection zone has been set up around Lake Constance.
These new cases of flu avian birds add to the list of birds that have died from avian influenza in recent days. At least 80 birds have died from the virus around Lake Constance in Switzerland but also in Germany and Austria. They had the same highly pathogenic serotype as the two new cases.
A vigilance plan against bird flu in France
The bird flu epidemic has also been detected in five other countries: Hungary, Poland, the Netherlands, Denmark and Croatia.
In France, prevention is essential. The Ministry of Agriculture has launched a plan for the reinforced surveillance of wildlife in the territory. “This reinforced surveillance will make it possible to react (…) as quickly as possible to eradicate any new outbreak and thus avoid as much as possible the risk of new contamination. Vigilance vis-à-vis the clinical signs of the disease also concerns everyone. poultry keepers “, points out the ministry in a press release of November 10.
2/2 … and the @Min_Agriculture recalls the importance of biosecurity measures in all poultry farms https://t.co/Z4NFysZsMy
– MinAgri (@Min_Agriculture) November 10, 2016
To read also: Avian flu back in France?
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