Number of Bird Flu cases is increasing: Things to remember

Number of Bird flu cases, also called avian influenza, has been raising recently. There are cases reported all around Europe: Germany, Poland, France, Denmark, Lithuania, Hungary. Even though this virus is very dangerous to birds, it does not pose a threat to human health.

To ensure safety of your birds, make sure to follow recommendations by Lithuanian State Food and Veterinary Service.

Recommendations for big poultry producers:

The poultry production site must be set up in such a way that it cannot be accessed by unauthorized persons, vehicles, wild, homeless and other animals.
The farm territory must be constantly managed, the grass growing in it must be mowed.
Disinfection of all incoming vehicles must be ensured before entering the poultry farm area.
Buildings and premises where feed is stored must be designed and equipped in such a way that wild birds and rodents cannot enter them, and they must also comply with the requirements of other legislation governing the storage of feed.
Information on bird mortality, water and feed consumption must be recorded on the production in order to detect the disease early and stop the spread of the infection to other areas.

Recommendations for small poultry farms:

During the spring and autumn migration of birds (March-April and September-October), keep poultry indoors or in enclosures with sheltered contact with wild migratory birds.
Store poultry feed in such a way that it is protected from wild birds, rodents and other animals that may transmit the virus mechanically.
Do not use water from open water for watering poultry.
Keep domestic geese and ducks separate from other poultry.
Do not visit other bird enclosures, avoid direct contact with wild birds.

And also make sure that the poultry you eat is well cooked (cooked or fried) and strictly follow personal hygiene.

Inform your local State Food and Veterinary Service if signs of the disease are observed in a flock of poultry, or if a dead wild bird is found dead.

Stay safe!
Morgan Agro team