Outbreaks of bird flu of high pathogenicity have been confirmed in recent days in the Balkan countries in particular in Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia and Sloveniawhile at the same time the presence of the virus is detected with greater frequency in other regions of Europe.

The above mentioned in its announcement by the Directorate of Veterinary Medicine – Department of Animal Health and Veterinary Perception, Medicines and Applications of the Region of Central Macedonia, on the occasion of a relevant circular of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food.

As noted, the majority of cases involve wild birds, which are found in the field dead or half-dead while as a result of the increased circulation of the virus in wild bird populations, the number of outbreaks in poultry farms is increasing in all countries, as is indicatively observed in Bulgaria and Romania.

At the same time it is known that the current picture in the Balkans shows similarities with earlier epidemic waveswhen in Greece the virus was detected both in wild birds (2016, 2017, 2021 and 2022) and in poultry farms (2017).

The Region reminds that bird flu is an infectious viral disease of birds, which must be declared and emphasizes that with the above developments and the expected movements of migratory species of wild birds, it becomes particularly increased, the risk of bird flu reappearing in our country in the near future (from November to May).

In this context, he points out that thepoultry farmers and owners of domestic poultry to take biosecurity measures, while in cases of increased morbidity or mortality of poultry, their owners are required to immediately inform the veterinary authorities so that the necessary samples can be taken.

In addition, as stated in the relevant announcement, services and private entities that come into direct and frequent contact with wild birds (forest officers, hunters, federal gamekeepers, ornithological organizations, treatment centers, management agencies, etc.), should inform the relevant veterinary authorities in cases of finding dead or semi-dead birds belonging to high-risk species, either by collecting and handing them over to them.

When handling wild birds (collection, transport, sampling) the necessary personal protection measures (disposable gloves, cleaning and hand disinfection) should be taken. Finally, it is recommended that professionals who are among the high-risk groups (such as veterinarians, poultry farmers, pig farmers, butchers and general people who come into systematic contact with birds or pigs) are vaccinated against seasonal influenza, as a measure to reduce the possibility of recombination and emergence of a new pandemic strain.