On Saturday, January 18, in the evening, an outbreak of avian flu was confirmed in the area of the Strupice village district (Chojnów commune). Disinfection mats were installed there.

According to e-legnickie.pl:

The above-mentioned measures were carried out in consultation with the District Veterinary Officer in Legnica in order to prevent the spread of the virus. A crisis management team began operating at the District Office, personally headed by Legnica County Head Adam BABUŚKA.

Strupice lies just 2 km from the border of Złotoryja County, so the local authorities decided on the “mandatory euthanasia” of poultry from farms in Brochocin, Podolany and the Kwiatów colony. Details are available on the Gazeta Złotoryjska website.

Let us recall that at the beginning of January we published in our newspaper a statement by Joanna Ligór-Tkacz, the district veterinary officer:

Due to the appearance of outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza subtype H5N8 in the Lublin and Greater Poland voivodeships, the District Veterinary Officer in Bolesławiec reminds all persons keeping poultry that, pursuant to the Regulation of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of November 25, 2019 (Journal of Laws 2019, item 2368) on ordering measures related to the occurrence of highly pathogenic avian influenza: persons keeping poultry or other birds are required to report to the district veterinary officer the locations where poultry or other birds are kept, excluding birds permanently kept in residential premises. [...]

The reporting obligation applies to all persons keeping poultry or other birds for their own needs. Reports may be submitted in person at the headquarters of the District Veterinary Inspectorate from Monday to Friday, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., or by telephone at 75 730 10 86.

  • Anyone who, as an animal owner, fails to report to the district veterinary officer the locations where animals of species susceptible to a given infectious animal disease are kept is subject to a fine ranging from 0.5 to twice the average monthly wage in the national economy.
  • Anyone who fails to take specified measures to protect farms against the penetration of an infectious agent is subject to a fine ranging from 0.5 to twice the average monthly wage in the national economy.
  • Anyone who fails to keep animals, including failing to feed and water them in the specified manner, is subject to a fine ranging from 0.2 to 0.8 of the average monthly wage in the national economy.

What is most important?

Feed and water birds in an enclosed room. The birds do not have to be kept inside buildings; they may walk outside, provided that they are fed in an enclosed room.

Importantly, the birds in question must absolutely not use ponds, pools, rivers or streams, as the virus may be present there. Birds must not be given water from outside the farm.

What is avian flu?

Avian influenza (AI – Avian influenza), formerly poultry plague (FP – Fowl plaque), is classified by the OIE as an extremely infectious and contagious viral disease of poultry that may cause mortality of up to 100%.

Infected birds excrete large amounts of the virus primarily through:

  • feces
  • eye discharge
  • respiratory tract secretions
  • exhaled air.

Almost all bird species are susceptible to infection with avian influenza viruses—both domestic birds (poultry) and wild, free-living birds—although the susceptibility of individual species varies:

  • chickens and turkeys—high susceptibility to infection and occurrence of the clinical form of the disease
  • ducks and geese—susceptible to infection with all AI virus strains, but only some highly pathogenic viruses cause the clinical form of the disease. Waterfowl are considered a potential reservoir and source of the virus for poultry
  • guinea fowl, quail, pheasants and partridges—susceptibility similar to that of chickens and turkeys
  • ostriches—ostriches develop respiratory and nervous symptoms, diarrhea, weakness and mortality of 20–30%. Emus are less susceptible; no clinical symptoms or mortality occur
  • caged birds, including parrots and songbirds—AI viruses isolated worldwide from wild and exotic birds have not so far been detected in caged birds.

Avian influenza virus can remain active in a poultry house environment for five weeks; therefore, when the disease is suspected or confirmed, it is important to secure the premises, equipment and manure, and thoroughly clean and disinfect them. Influenza viruses are sensitive to commonly used disinfectants and detergents. They are also destroyed by heat treatment (frying, boiling).

Detailed information can be found on the website of the General Veterinary Inspectorate.