Avian influenza spreads to more regions

The Finnish Food Authority earmarked more areas as avian influenza infected zone following expansion of the infection of the disease to the new regions, said an official press release.

The authority included the regions of Uusimaa, Kanta-Häme, Pirkanmaa and Päijät-Häme in the infected zone on Tuesday.

The authority so far diagnosed infection on 12 fur farms.

In June-July 2023, highly pathogenic avian influenza of the type H5N1 has been diagnosed in several locations in Finland. The disease has been detected especially in gulls.

In addition, the disease caused by the virus has been detected in farmed fur animals in South and Central Ostrobothnia.

Earlier, the authority on July 21 established an infected zone to prevent further spread of the disease.

Initially, Southwest Finland, Satakunta, South Ostrobothnia, Ostrobothnia and Central Ostrobothnia regions were earmarked as the infected zone.

The Finnish Food Authority recommends that poultry be also carefully protected in other parts of the country. If symptoms of avian influenza, abnormal mortality or changes in production are observed in poultry or other birds, the municipal or the provincial veterinarian must be informed immediately.

A decline in the consumption of water and feed or in egg production may be a sign of an avian influenza infection.

Mass deaths of wild birds and individual dead birds of prey must also be reported to the municipal or the provincial veterinarian. The municipal veterinarian will take care of sending the required samples to the Helsinki office of the Finnish Food Authority.

Avian influenza viruses are not easily transmitted to humans and being infected usually requires close contact with a wild bird, poultry, or their secretions.