Today, the Food and Veterinary Agency, after conducting diagnostic research on suspicious farms, issued a statement.
Samples tested at the Food and Veterinary Laboratory are said to have detected the presence of avian influenza Avian Influenza A Subtyping H5 and N8 (H5N8 avian influenza).
The test was performed on the oropharyngeal strains (chicken) with the Real Time RT-PCR method.
“The national crisis headquarters is working to coordinate actions on the ground, to prevent and fight the disease. The birds have been destroyed in five household farms in four different cities, and two other farms are being diagnosed and which are being kept in isolation “, it is said in the KVFA press release.
According to the WHO, influenza H5N8 is a subtype of influenza A virus (otherwise known as bird flu), which is highly deadly to wild birds and birds.
“H5N8 does not usually infect humans; however, seven people in Russia were found infected in 2021, they were poultry farm workers who took part in a response operation to prevent an outbreak of bird flu A (H5N8). Cases remained asymptomatic for the entire duration of the observation (several weeks). Subsequent nasopharyngeal swabs were collected during the medical observation period and tested negative for avian influenza A (H5N8).
In this case no apparent clinical manifestation was reported by any farm worker under medical supervision, their family members or other close contacts of the seven cases.
“Avian flu mainly spreads through direct contact between infected and healthy birds. It can also be transmitted when birds come in contact with equipment or materials (including water and pet food) that are contaminated with feces or secretions from the nose or mouth of infected birds. People can also spread the disease indirectly from farm to farm by carrying the virus in their clothing, boots or through the wheels of vehicles. “Wild birds can normally carry the virus without becoming ill themselves.”
All official FVA veterinarians, together with private veterinary practices have been mobilized and are working in the field to locate the affected farms, where all services are performed, including the disposal of dead birds and those present on the farm under supervision. of official veterinarians respecting biosafety measures.
“Isolated farms located in isolation. Also launching research on farms around them in a perimeter of 3 kilometers. All actions are being carried out in accordance with Administrative Instruction No. 24/2005 on combating zoonotic bird disease ‘Avian Influenza’, Avian Influenza.