No findings of bird flu in Denmark
On Friday 17 of February 2006 the Danish Veterinary And Food Research Institute announced that analysis of a number of dead birds picked up in coastal areas in Denmark verified that the birds had not been infected with bird flu (Avian Influenza).
The test was carried out on the background that Avian influenza (bird flu) of the type H5N1 has on 14 February 2006 been verified in lab tests of two dead swans found on the German island of Rugen in the Baltic Sea.
Due to the geographical proximity the findings caused immediate action by the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration.
In order to prevent the disease from spreading to poultry in Denmark, the administration on Wednesday 15 February 2006 issued an executive order stating that all poultry must be confined to buildings with fixed roofs. Until further notice, the provisions shall apply to poultry flocks of more than 100 birds. However, the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration requests that also non commercial poultry breeders immediately confine their poultry to buildings with fixed roofs.
In addition, on the same day a number of regulations have been tightened in order to prevent Danish poultry from becoming contaminated with avian influenza:
An early warning system will be introduced, as well as a nationwide monitoring programme.
A special routine monitoring will be introduced in high-risk zones, i.e. all areas within 3 km from the sea and within a range of 3 km from large wetlands throughout Denmark.
An early warning system of Bird Flue is set up to ensure speedy detection of changes in the health condition of poultry, and subsequent reporting to the veterinarian authorities. As from 15 February, poultry breeders with 100 birds or more must report all signs of changes in the health condition of their poultry to their Regional Veterinary and Food Control Authorities. As regards the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1, it is important that the symptoms are discovered as early as possible in order to limit the spread of the disease.
Poultry flocks in high risk zones will be subject to intensive routine monitoring. Among other things, this means that owners of hens, turkeys and breeding flocks of ducks and geese, as well as breeders of game poultry, must take blood samples from their poultry twice a year and send them to the Danish Institute for Food and Veterinary Research.
Live poultry and game poultry sold from flocks with more than 100 birds must be accompanied by a certificate documenting that a negative test for avian influenza was performed within the last three months. After 15 February 2006, breeders that sell poultry and have more than 100 birds at the time of sale must be registered with the Danish National Register of Domestic Animals
Eating poultry entails no risk
Danish consumers are actively advised that there is no risk associated with eating poultry when the meet is thoroughly cooked, and all general hygiene rules observed.
Test programmes
The intensive monitoring of wild birds will continue. Orders has been issued to ensure that the responsible authorities pick up all dead birds in areas of suspicion in the coming days and rep-resentative samples will be tested in the laboratory of the Danish Veterinary and Food Research Institute. All other birds will be sent for rendering under biologically safe conditions. The dead birds will be collected in collaboration with the police and the Danish Emergency Management Agency. To improve efficiency the public in the affected area are requested to report all findings of dead birds to the authorities.
The results of the laboratory tests will be published on a daily basis. In case of positive findings, information will be distributed to the European Communities, the OIE and to all Danish diplomatic representations. On line information of the development in Denmark may be found on the website of the Danish Veterinary And Food Administration.