New cases of high pathogenic avian influenza (H5) found in wild birds in Denmark
New cases of high pathogenic avian influenza type H5 have been found in Denmark.
On 22 March 2006 the Danish Veterinary and Food Research Institute confirmed that two tufted ducks (Aythya fuligula) found dead on 18 March 2006 in the harbour of Ærøskøping were infected with high pathogenic avian influenza (H5). The harbour and the marina of Ærøskøping is situated next to each other, and due to the finding of nine other dead tufted ducks in the marina on 17 March 2006, the protection and surveillance zone already established were therefore not changed.
On 24 March 2006 the Danish Veterinary and Food Research Institute confirmed that it had also found high pathogenic avian influenza (H5) in a Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus). The bird was found dead on the small island Drejø south of Funen.
The Danish Veterinary and Food Research Institute will continue investigations in order to clarify whether it is the H5N1 type already detected in other wild birds in Denmark and several other EU countries.
A protection zone (minimum 3 km) and a surveillance zone (minimum 10 km) are established surrounding the location where the infected Peregrine Falcon was found. Drejø is already included in the surveillance zone established on Friday 17 March 2006, after the detection of the nine tufted ducks in the marina of Ærøskøping. The existing protection zone has been extended to also include Drejø.
All poultry within the zones must be kept inside and all poultry holdings – including hobby holdings – must be registered. The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration will inspect all poultry holdings in the protection zone in the near future in order to look for possible fur-ther spread of bird flu.
Restrictions on movement of eggs and poultry have been imposed within the zones.
All hunting within the zones is also prohibited.
Information about the positive finding has been distributed to the European Communities. Furthermore OIE will be informed.
The second and third finding
Earlier this week the Danish Veterinary and Food Research Institute finalised its investigations of the nine tufted ducks from Ærø and a wild whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus) found not far from the town Frederikssund. The investigations have confirmed that it is the H5N1 type.
Further information
Online information about the latest situation will be available on the website of the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration http://www.fvst.dk/ where there is a daily update of the AI situation in Denmark.