Avian flu sweeps across Europe

Avian influenza continues to be a major problem for poultry farmers throughout Europe. Over the past two months, outbreaks have been reported in Poland, England, France, Hungary, the Netherlands, Ireland and Italy, the latest being an outbreak found in swans near Rome. In Hungary, 5,000 turkeys on a farm in Békés County were killed earlier this week due to an outbreak of the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus.

Two weeks ago, due to an outbreak of bird flu in the southern region of Bach-Kishkun, more than 38,000 ducks were culled from one farm, and about 500 geese from another.

France also confirmed the presence of the virus last week at a poultry farm near the Belgian border. The virus is being analyzed by the French Agency for Food, Environment and Occupational Safety. All birds on the affected farm in the northwestern town of Warham will be culled and a 10-kilometer surveillance perimeter will be set up to prohibit any movement of poultry in the area.

Part of the restricted area is in the Belgian province of West Flanders. The Belgian Federal Agency for Food Chain Safety today took additional measures for the cities of De Panne, Verne, Alveringem and Popering. Poultry farmers and private owners are required to keep birds in cages, and bird shows and fairs are prohibited.

UK authorities have also reported 5 outbreaks on commercial farms and poultry farmers across the kingdom have been advised to keep poultry indoors to prevent the spread of the virus. Irish authorities have reported three outbreaks in the past 30 days.

In Italy, Rome's largest park has been partially closed to the public after a swan died of bird flu. This was announced on Monday evening by the mayor of the city, Roberto Gualtieri, who ordered the 10-day closure of the eastern part of Villa Pamphili in the Lake Giglio area.

More than 25 outbreaks were reported by Polish authorities in November, and the industry could face another bad season due to restrictions imposed by countries outside the EU. Poland is also the largest producer of poultry MEAT in the EU with a market share of 19%.