Denmark has reported the outbreak of the highly pathogenic H5 bird flu virus at a turkey farm in the central part of the country, the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) announced today.
The outbreak at a farm of 27,600 animals in Slagelse started on October 30 and was confirmed on November 1, the OIE said, citing a report by Danish authorities.
Avian flu transmission zone was declared late Wednesday afternoon throughout the United Kingdom, as reports of the outbreak of the disease by poultry farmers have increased.
According to the chief veterinarians of England, Scotland and Wales, from 5 pm all poultry farmers have a legal obligation to follow strict biosecurity measures to protect their animals.
Those who keep more than 500 birds should restrict access to unnecessary workers, those who do have access should change their clothes and shoes before entering the farm and the vehicles on the farms should be cleaned and disinfected regularly.
Even individuals who keep a small number of poultry in their backyards are urged to take steps to reduce the risk of transmitting the disease, according to the Ministry of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Avian influenza has been detected both on farms and in many free-ranging birds in various parts of Britain.
The country's health services, however, stress that the risk to public health from bird flu is “very low”.
Source: KYPE
