In recent weeks, large numbers of dead wild birds have been found along the Finnmark coast.
– The outbreaks we are seeing in various places in Finnmark this year are bigger than we have seen before. Mass deaths associated with bird cliffs have also been seen elsewhere in Europe in recent years. This is serious, not least for our most vulnerable species, such as the crutch, says Ingunn Midttun Godal, CEO of the Norwegian Food Safety Authority in a press release on Thursday.
Crutches in particular have been exposed to infection and have been found dead.
Opposite NRK Midttun Godal elaborates that the bird flu outbreak in Finnmark is the largest ever seen in Norway.
Low risk of infection for humans
The Norwegian Food Safety Authority works with the municipalities, the State Administrator in Troms and Finnmark, the Veterinary Institute, the Environment Agency, the Norwegian Nature Inspectorate (Sno), the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) and the Norwegian Institute for Natural Research (Nina) and continuously assesses measures to prevent the spread of infection.
– It is important to remove dead birds to reduce infection to other birds. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority is therefore working with relevant authorities to put the best possible arrangements in place in the hardest-hit areas, says Godal.
The Institute of Public Health assesses the risk of infection to humans as very low. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority nevertheless advises people not to touch sick and dead birds.
– First and foremost a risk for birds
There is also no serious risk of infection for other animals.
– The bird flu that has now been detected primarily poses a risk to birds. It is unusual for mammals to be infected with bird flu, but there are cases from several countries, especially in wild mammals such as foxes, seals and minke whales, says Godal.
In Poland, there have been reports of cats falling ill with bird flu. In areas where there are many dead birds, you are encouraged to keep cats inside and walk dogs on a leash.
The Norwegian Food Safety Authority asks the public to report accumulations of dead and sick birds.
2023-07-19 20:49:46
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