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Prevention of bird flu spread
Belgrade,
2 March 2006
Director of the Veterinary Directorate at the Serbian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management Dejan Krnjajic said today that this directorate is taking measures to prevent bird flu from spreading to domestic poultry and eradicate the virus, after it was confirmed that a swan that died from bird flu was found near Sombor.
From left: Budimir Pesic, Dejan Krnjajic, Tomica Milosavljevic and Predrag Kon
At a press conference held at the Serbian government building, Krnjajic confirmed that the analyses performed on the dead swan found in Backi Monostor, the Sombor municipality, on February 28, showed that the bird died of bird flu caused by type H5 virus. Backi Monostor was subsequently proclaimed an infected area.
He said that the directorate immediately started registering all farms which keep poultry or fowl. It was ordered that poultry and fowl be kept in an enclosed space, and disinfection has been performed at the entrances and exits of farms.
Krnjajic recalled that fowl and poultry trading are forbidden. The same ban has been imposed on trade in poultry products. A process of harmless disposal of animal carcasses has begun and special veterinary-sanitary control initiated in infected area.
According to Krnjajic, notice boards and disinfection points have been set up at the entrances to infected areas. Individuals and vehicles suspected of being in contact with the infected swan have been disinfected and wild bird and boar hunting forbidden.
Krnjajic expressed satisfaction with the relevant services' efficiency and expressed the expectation that in a week's time he will be able to publish final results of the analysis on the dead swan which are being performed in Great Britain.
He said that there are 619 households and more than 11,000 poultry in the infected area. Neighbouring countries and the European Commission have been informed of the current situation in Serbia.
Krnjajic confirmed that 2,400 dead animals have been analysed and only one registered positive on the bird flu test. Epidemiologist Predrag Kon said that the greatest danger lies in the transfer of the bird flu virus from wild fowl to domestic poultry. He appealed to the authorities to continue implementing the necessary measures in order to prevent this from happening.
Head of the health protection department at the Veterinary Directorate Budimir Pesic said that citizens should avoid all contact with dead birds and report any suspicious cases to the Veterinary Service.
Serbian Minister of Health Tomica Milosavljevic said that if the virus mutates, sufficient amounts of the vaccine must be attained. He also appealed to citizens to comply with recommendations given by health and veterinary centres.
He said that the directorate immediately started registering all farms which keep poultry or fowl. It was ordered that poultry and fowl be kept in an enclosed space, and disinfection has been performed at the entrances and exits of farms.
Krnjajic recalled that fowl and poultry trading are forbidden. The same ban has been imposed on trade in poultry products. A process of harmless disposal of animal carcasses has begun and special veterinary-sanitary control initiated in infected area.
According to Krnjajic, notice boards and disinfection points have been set up at the entrances to infected areas. Individuals and vehicles suspected of being in contact with the infected swan have been disinfected and wild bird and boar hunting forbidden.
Krnjajic expressed satisfaction with the relevant services' efficiency and expressed the expectation that in a week's time he will be able to publish final results of the analysis on the dead swan which are being performed in Great Britain.
He said that there are 619 households and more than 11,000 poultry in the infected area. Neighbouring countries and the European Commission have been informed of the current situation in Serbia.
Krnjajic confirmed that 2,400 dead animals have been analysed and only one registered positive on the bird flu test. Epidemiologist Predrag Kon said that the greatest danger lies in the transfer of the bird flu virus from wild fowl to domestic poultry. He appealed to the authorities to continue implementing the necessary measures in order to prevent this from happening.
Head of the health protection department at the Veterinary Directorate Budimir Pesic said that citizens should avoid all contact with dead birds and report any suspicious cases to the Veterinary Service.
Serbian Minister of Health Tomica Milosavljevic said that if the virus mutates, sufficient amounts of the vaccine must be attained. He also appealed to citizens to comply with recommendations given by health and veterinary centres.
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