New Cases of Bird Flu Reported in Czech Republic

Health officials are confirming cases of bird flu in swans and poultry farms in south Moravia

Elizabeth Zahradnicek-Haas

Written by Elizabeth Zahradnicek-Haas Published on 04.01.2017 13:52:50 (updated on 04.01.2017) Reading time: 1 minute

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Agriculture has announced that bird flu has been reported in the Czech Republic for the first time in almost a decade, reports Novinky.cz

State Veterinary Administration chief Zbynek Semerad confirmed the presence of the highly contagious H5 type in swans in Znojmo and at a poultry farm in south Moravia. Further tests were performed to determine whether the N8 sub-type is present.

Cases of bird flu in recent months have also appeared in the Slovakia, Germany, and other European countries.

Health Minister Miloslav Ludvík Tweeted today that the Veterinary Administration and local health officials have the situation under control, with infected premises in Ivancice and Moravsky Krumlov being placed into 3- and 10-kilometer zones.

Infected poultry has been culled.

According to the NHS, bird flu is spread through direct contact with infected birds (dead or alive), an infected bird’s droppings, or secretions from their eyes or respiratory tract. Close and prolonged contact with an infected bird is generally required for the infection to spread to humans.

The strain identified in these cases is not dangerous to humans, said Semerad.

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