New case of high pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu) H5-type found in wild birds in Denmark

On 30 March 2006 the Danish Veterinary and Food Research Institute detected high pathogenic avian influenza (H5) in a tufted duck (Aythya fuligula) found dead on the island Kegnæs in the southern part of Jutland.

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.

In accordance with Commission Decision 2006/115/EC a protection zone (minimum 3 km) and a surveillance zone (minimum 10 km) have been established surrounding the location where the infected bird was found. Kegnæs is located near the town Sønderborg, where a surveillance zone was already established on 29 March 2006. The zone is therefore not changed. However, a new protection zone has been established.

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 further 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.

Further information

On line 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.