October 22, 2020

Netherlands reports two H5N8 bird flu cases among wild swans

Authorities in the Netherlands have confirmed two H5N8 bird flu cases among wild swans in Utrecht province, Reuters reported.

The Dutch agricultural ministry will speak to experts about next steps to avoid the virus from spreading to poultry farms.

The European Union urged its member countries last month to increase surveillance against possible bird flu outbreaks among domestic and wild birds.

EU health and food agencies said the disease is highly contagious among birds but the risk of human transmission is low.

There have been bird flu outbreaks in in western Russia and Kazakhstan among domestic and wild birds, as wild water birds are currently on the autumn migration route towards Europe.

-      Reuters