There may be a second case of H5N1 bird flu in Cyprus, as another dead bird was found yesterday in the lake of the Athalassa National Forest Park, which has been transported for tests, Veterinary Services Officer Dimitris Epaminondas told CNA on Wednesday.
"We may have a second bird," said Mr. Epaminondas, noting that the dead bird found yesterday is under examination to determine whether it has been infected with the bird flu virus.
Speaking to CNA, he said that the first case was detected last Tuesday, when a citizen who visited Lake Athalassa spotted a goose, which "did not appear to be in good condition" and informed the Hunting Fund.
He added that the bird was collected and transported to a wild bird care facility, where it died the next day, noting that it was subsequently transferred to the Veterinary Services, where the necessary examinations and necropsy were carried out and samples were taken.
"The first indication that we were talking about influenza came out on Friday," said Mr. Epaminondas, adding that the identification was completed on Monday afternoon and it was confirmed that it was a highly pathogenic H5N1 strain.
After the case was confirmed, he said, "protocols were activated" and all relevant services were informed.
At the same time, he reported that on-site visits were carried out to the area on both Monday and Tuesday, while during the last visit the second dead bird was located.
Preventive checks on those who came into contact with the bird
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According to Mr. Epaminondas, the Ministry of Health was also informed last Friday, resulting in the persons who came into contact with the infected bird being placed under preventive control, including officials of the Hunting Fund and the citizen who spotted it.
"It has not been confirmed in humans. It is simply being tested," he clarified, noting that so far "no one has been detected" positive for the virus among those tested.
As he mentioned, there is a relevant protocol of the Medical Services, based on which the specific persons undergo PCR tests at regular intervals.
Asked whether the virus can be transmitted from birds to humans, Mr. Epaminondas answered in the affirmative, noting, however, that "humans are not the main host of this particular virus" and that "the main host is birds."
"Humans can be a host," he said, adding that what concerns the competent services is "whether there is a possibility that the virus could mutate within humans."
Recommendation to avoid Athalassa until early next week
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Regarding the presence of the virus in the area, Mr. Epaminondas reported that during the on-site visit, no other birds with symptoms were identified, apart from the dead bird that was collected for examination.
At the same time, he recommended that the public avoid visiting the park for the foreseeable future.
"It is best to avoid visiting the park for about a week," he said, explaining that a week has already passed since the first case was identified and that two weeks is considered a sufficient period of time for the virus's transmission cycle to complete.
"The two weeks that the Medical Services recommend are, for the next period, that people should not visit the park until Monday-Tuesday and not come into contact with the birds, so that there is no possibility of transmission," he said.
"Logical" that it reached Cyprus via migratory birds
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When asked whether the case in Athalassa is an isolated incident or if there are indications of wider circulation of the virus in Cyprus, Mr. Epaminondas stated that this particular strain has been identified in many European countries.
"This is not the first time we have found this particular strain. In general, this year in Europe there has been chaos with this particular strain. It has been identified in 15 European countries," he said.
He continued by saying that it is "logical that it was found in Cyprus, because it comes through migratory birds."
He also noted that "we probably had it last year, it's just that no one saw it to inform the competent authorities."
"It will probably happen every year," he said, clarifying, however, that from the moment the virus was identified, "we must implement the protocols and inform the public that the problem exists."
Poultry farms in the spotlight
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Mr. Epaminondas emphasized that the main priority of the Veterinary Services is to prevent the virus from entering professional poultry farms.
"But we are mainly interested in farms, professional poultry farms," he said, explaining that confirming a case in a professional farm entails the activation of culling protocols.
He stated that for this reason, poultry farmers have been informed to implement "all the strictest biosecurity measures", including changing clothing and taking all necessary measures to prevent the virus from entering the units.
He explained that most units are closed, with the main exception of free-range egg production units, making it difficult for wild birds to enter directly.
"The easy way is mechanical transport by the owner or the poultry farm workers themselves," emphasizing that "this is our main concern at the moment."
"There is no reason to worry" about the consumption of products
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The Veterinary Services Officer also stated that citizens have been informed not to visit the park for a specific period of time and to avoid contact with the birds.
"At this time, however, there is no risk. In general, there is no risk from consuming animal products," he said.
Two birds under consideration
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In relation to the sampling that has been carried out in Athalassa, Mr. Epaminondas stated that so far samples have been taken from two dead birds, specifically the first, from which H5N1 was confirmed, and the second which was detected yesterday, adding that "no other samples have been taken yet."
At the same time, he noted that an annual surveillance program for bird flu is in place, within the framework of which samples are also taken from farmed birds.
Mr. Epaminondas emphasized that, despite the confirmation of the case in a wild bird, the main goal of the competent services is to prevent the transmission of the virus to professional poultry farms.
