Avian flu reaches Romania
An outbreak of bird flu (H5N8 virus strain) was confirmed by the Romanian authorities in a poultry farm in Maramures county. According to Robert Chioveanu, head of ANSVSA, Romanian veterinary watchdog, the owner of the farm has informed local authorities that some of its birds have died since 06 January. The bird population in the farm was 18,000 head.
On January 14 the virus was confirmed and all the remaining birds are to be incinerated to stop the virus from spreading. Several other measures have been taken to increase biosecurity in the farms nearby and neighboring counties. An influenza area has been installed and feeds along with other materials that can carry the virus have been destroyed at the farm. Bird transportation in the area has also been restricted. Romania is the fourth country in SE Europe to report bird flu outbreak after the H5N8 virus has been discovered in farms across Poland and Hungary and in backyard poultry in Slovakia.
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