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

On 31 March 2006 the Danish Veterinary and Food Research Institute detected high patho-genic avian influenza (H5) in two wild birds on two locations:

· In a tufted duck (Aythya fuligula) found near the town Skælskør in western Zealand County.
· In a mute swan (Cygnus olor) found dead near the town Vang on the island Bornholm.

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 sev-eral 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 birds were found.

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.

The European Communities and OIE will be informed about the new findings.

 

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.