January 15, 2025

Bird flu detected in turkeys in Jezreel Valley, Israel

H5N1 bird flu was diagnosed in a flock of turkeys in Nahalal, the Jezreel Valley, Israel.

Following the death of approximately 24,000 turkeys (before marketing at the age of 16 weeks) in five poultry houses, samples were sent to the laboratories of the country's Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. This is the 14th confirmed case of bird flu in the current flu season affecting commercial poultry houses.

To prevent the spread of the disease, the Ministry has responded in accordance with procedures recommended by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) concerning the treatment of avian influenza.

Among other things, a quarantine zone has been defined within a range of up to 10 kilometers from infected poultry houses. Within the zone, the movement of poultry is restricted, while the populating of poultry houses is not allowed. Veterinary services at the Ministry continue to conduct active monitoring of all poultry houses in the area.

The Ministry also called on breeders of ornamental birds and poultry farms, as well as free-range poultry farms, to keep birds inside buildings and prevent them from roaming in open areas.

- ANI/TPS