Avian influenza in wild birds confirmed in 2 dead swans in the municipality of Kula

In the Municipality of Kula, in the West Bačka Administrative District, avian influenza in wild birds was confirmed in 06.03.2021 dead swans on 2 and 12.03.2021.

The Veterinary Directorate's decision established measures to be implemented in the infected and at-risk areas for the infectious disease avian influenza in wild birds, caused by the highly pathogenic H5N8 virus, with the aim of controlling and preventing the spread of avian influenza. This follows laboratory confirmation of the virus by the National Avian Influenza Laboratory of the VS Institute in Kraljevo in a sample from a dead swan in Kula, on the Great Bačka Canal, and laboratory confirmation of the pathogen in a dead swan on the Great Bačka Canal between Sivac and Mali Stapar.

The infected area is defined as a circle with a radius of at least 3 km, while the threatened area is a circle with a radius of at least 10 km from the outbreak.

The cause of avian influenza, the H5N8 virus, is not a zoonosis, meaning it is not transmitted from sick or infected birds to humans, but it can cause very serious damage if it spreads from wild birds to domestic poultry.

To prevent the spread and contain the disease, every case of wild bird deaths must be reported, as must any increase in poultry or bird deaths or signs of disease on farms. Reports must be made to the competent veterinary inspector or veterinarian.

In the infected and at-risk areas, the movement of poultry is prohibited, as are fairs for poultry and ornamental birds and poultry, the movement of eggs, meat and offal originating from poultry, the removal of poultry carcasses from farms, and the removal of manure and used bedding

It is mandatory :

1.Keeping domestic poultry and birds confined in farm buildings;

2.Eradicating rodents and insects in buildings housing poultry and birds;

3. Installation of a disinfection barrier at the entrance to the poultry yard and buildings;

4. Treatment of manure (bedding, liquid manure, farmyard manure) in a way that destroys all disease-causing agents;.

The Regional Crisis Center (RCC) for Avian Influenza has been activated in the territory of the West Bačka Administrative District. It includes the Veterinary Specialized Institute “Sombor,” the Sombor Veterinary Inspection Department, veterinary stations in the infected and threatened areas, the Sombor Police Department, representatives of the municipalities of Kula, Sombor, Odžaci and Apatin, hunting associations, and the competent hunting inspector. The National Crisis Center (NCC) of the Veterinary Directorate coordinates the RCC’s activities.