Laboratory tests performed on six dead pigeons in Latvia revealed all of them were infected with the highly pathogenic H5N1 subtype, which has dominated in the population of both wild and domestic fowl in European countries since October 2021, as reported by Latvian Food and Veterinary Service (PVD).
This is the first time when this bird flu subtype was found in Latvia in 2022.
As previously reported, last year the highly pathogenic bird flu was found only among wild birds in Latvia last year – of the 147 dead birds tested in laboratories 50 were found to had been infected with bird flu.
In spite of the fact that the last time the highly pathogenic bird flu case for wild birds was found in Latvia in summer 2021 and most of the restrictions for domestic fowl were lifted, PVD still urges farmers and bird keepers to be very careful – follow bio-security and other restrictions that remain in force.
PVD notes that staff in charge of enclosures with birds and who come into contact with domestic fowl have to be provided with appropriate work attire. This attire should be used only at the place of work. Water provided to birds should not be collected from surface bodies of water.
Additionally, to prevent direct or indirect contact of domestic birds with wild waterfowl, it is not allowed to let domestic waterfowl swim in natural bodies of water.
Participation in fairs and markets with domestic fowl and carrying them and their incubated eggs outside the farm to sell is also prohibited.
Bird flu is an acute and highly pathogenic and deadly infectious disease. Wild birds, waterfowl especially, spread this virus. Domestic fowl can get infected after coming into contact with infected wild birds. Infected water and feed can also result in infection, as can unclean work attire and inventory exposed to the virus.
This year’s first bird flu cases appear in Latvia
