Czech farmers have implemented decisive actions to contain the spread of a bird flu outbreak, resulting in the culling of approximately 140,000 birds since the beginning of this year, as reported by the State Veterinary Administration (SVS) on Wednesday.
The affected birds were found to be infected with the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of bird flu, which has the potential to transmit to humans.
According to the SVS’s official website, a total of 15 bird flu hotspots have been identified on non-commercial small farms, along with three cases on large commercial farms. The disease was also discovered in four deceased birds outside of farm premises.
In response to the outbreak, three commercial farms located in the central region of the Czech Republic were obliged to cull 50,000 ducks and 90,000 chickens.
It is worth noting that last year, three individuals, including a two-year-old girl, succumbed to bird flu in Cambodia.
The recent identification of the virus in various mammals, such as foxes, otters, minks, sea lions, and even grizzly bears, has raised concerns regarding potential increased risks for humans.
Since August of the previous year, bird flu cases have been reported in numerous European countries, according to data from the French animal health watchdog ESA.
As a precautionary measure, French authorities elevated the bird flu risk level to “maximum” in December, mandating poultry breeders to confine their birds indoors.
Via Guardian.