OP. AMMOCHOSTOU: Cases of bird flu were detected in real estates

The Veterinary Services of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, informs the public about the detection of Avian Influenza cases in Cyprus.

Avian Influenza is a viral, contagious disease of birds caused by the Influenza A virus. Healthy birds become infected either directly, through direct contact with other infected or sick birds, or indirectly through contaminated objects. Bird flu is usually carried from one country to another by migratory birds.

The cases were detected in two private collections of waterfowl in the Famagusta District and the premises where the disease manifested itself have been immediately placed under restriction.

From the first moment of diagnosis, owners of poultry farms and veterinarians have been informed and attention has been drawn to take strict biosecurity measures to prevent the risk of spreading the virus and protect the farms of organized poultry farming.

At the same time, the Veterinary Services are in contact with the Community Reference Laboratory, to send materials to determine the virulence of the virus that has been identified.

We inform the owners of domestic poultry that they must limit their birds to closed covered areas to avoid their direct and indirect contact with wild birds. This is especially true for communities adjacent to wetlands. In addition, it is strictly forbidden to keep poultry in the open, to provide food and water outdoors, and to avoid giving and making available food in a way that would encourage the opportunity for wild birds to feed on food left for domesticated birds. It is also prohibited to give poultry water from surface water reservoirs to which wild birds have access.

Any owner who observes increased morbidity and/or mortality of poultry which raises suspicion of an incident of the disease, is obliged, based on the Animal Health Laws, to immediately inform the Provincial Veterinary Officer of the Province to which he belongs or the nearest Police Station for the suspicion by calling the following telephone numbers according to the Province:

District Veterinary Office of Nicosia, tel: 22 805241

Provincial Veterinary Office of Larnaca, tel: 24 821275

District Veterinary Office of Famagusta, tel: 24 824555

Limassol Provincial Veterinary Office, tel: 25 819512

Provincial Veterinary Office of Paphos, tel: 26 821261