Highly pathogenic avian influenza is a particularly dangerous, acutely occurring, highly contagious disease characterized by damage to the respiratory, digestive, central nervous system and high mortality. The avian influenza virus is variable and can mutate with animal and human influenza viruses. Mutants of the influenza virus pose a danger to human health and life.
The source of infection is sick birds, which secrete a large amount of active virus with excretions and secretions. Infection of poultry occurs by airborne droplets, through the digestive tract and through infected eggs. In domestic bird species, the disease occurs in an acute form with a high percentage of mortality (up to 100%). Wild waterfowl is a natural reservoir of the influenza virus, and its disease occurs in a mild or subclinical form.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza in humans is characterized by high fever, conjunctivitis, facial edema, sore throat, cough, and in severe, often fatal, cases – respiratory and heart failure due to viral pneumonia. Infection of humans occurs from domestic and wild birds.
If there is a danger of penetration of highly pathogenic influenza, in order to prevent the penetration of its pathogen, the authorized body in the field of veterinary medicine takes appropriate antiepizootic measures, according to which:
restrictions are imposed on the import (entry) of poultry and poultry products from the territories of disadvantaged states; the territories with the most probable danger of the primary appearance of the disease are determined, appropriate orders are sent on the restrictions imposed to individuals and legal entities that own poultry.
individuals who have poultry in their farm (farmstead) must strictly comply with the following requirements: take measures to prevent contact of poultry with wild, especially with waterfowl. If necessary, the poultry in the farmsteads should be transferred to a closed type of content on the instructions of the state veterinary inspector. In case of death and inappropriate behavior of poultry, it is necessary to inform the veterinary inspector or the veterinarian serving this locality not to allow grazing or walking poultry near lakes with wild birds within a radius of up to 5 kilometers.
It is also necessary to be vigilant when using shot game. The avian influenza virus is destroyed at a temperature of 56 0c - in 3 hours, 60 0c - in 30 minutes. For a long time (up to one year), it retains viability in tissues, droppings and water.
Currently, poultry is being immunized against highly pathogenic avian influenza. In this regard, we ask all residents of our district to take this disease seriously, provide assistance during vaccination and provide all poultry livestock to veterinary specialists.