3 years later bird flu appears Czech Republic - After three years, bird flu appeared in the Czech Republic. The Ministry has earmarked 60 million for compensation.

The Veterinary Administration expects further avian influenza infections to occur after the first confirmed case. The administration confirmed the pathogenic virus H5N8 on Saturday in small poultry in the village Štěpánov nad Svratkou in the Žďár region in the Vysočina Region. This was stated at a press briefing by the Central Director of the State Veterinary Administration Zbyněk Semerád.

The ministry has earmarked 60 million crowns this year for farmers' compensation, added Minister of Agriculture Miroslav Toman (for the CSSD). However, according to the Minister, the total amount is not substantial and compensation will be paid to the victims according to the valid price list and prices at the usual place.

Three years ago, the state paid about CZK 23 million for compensation. Damaged breeders must apply for compensation within six weeks of the confirmation of the disease.

“I would like to thank the breeders who comply with the regulations for reporting it in time. And the veterinary administration managed to capture it in time thanks to good cooperation, which is a great success that we did not start. We will see how this will continue, ”said the Minister.

3 years later bird flu appears Czech Republic

Protection zone

There were 12 hens in the infected breeding in the village of Stepanov nad Svratkou in the Zdar region, six of which died within two days. Furthermore, there were three ducks. The infection to the breeding apparently was introduced by wild water birds.

'In accordance with the legislation in force, the State Veterinary Administration has taken immediate measures to prevent the further spread of the disease. The remaining poultry on the farm will be euthanized, a three-kilometer protective and surveillance zone of ten kilometers radius will be defined around the outbreak and extraordinary veterinary measures will be declared there, ”said Zbyněk Semerád, the Central Director of the State Veterinary Administration.

Veterinarians also spent 12 hens at two other small breeders in the neighborhood. "There was direct contact with infected poultry," said Božek Vejmelka, the director of the Regional Veterinary Administration in the Highlands.

According to Vejmelka, the veterinary administration also called on hunters to increase their control of wild bird deaths. "There are no large-scale poultry breeding or major veterinary companies in Stepanov nad Svratkou," Vejmelka said.

In recent days and weeks, bird flu has appeared in Hungary and also in Slovakia, Poland and Romania. It is the same type of H5N8.

Veterinary inspectors immediately after reporting the death by the breeder began the investigation in breeding, took precautionary measures and sent dead hens for examination to the State Veterinary Institute Prague. For all six, his staff confirmed bird flu.

“My colleagues at the Ministry are ready to help affected farmers with compensation that they are legally entitled to. However, the most important thing now is to prevent further spread of the disease, for preventive reasons breeders should prevent contact between wild and domestic birds, ”said Minister of Agriculture Miroslav Toman (on behalf of the CSSD).
Prohibition of exhibitions and stock exchanges

As a result of emergency veterinary measures, the movement of poultry to and from the zones will be restricted, poultry rearing will be carried out and poultry and bird exhibitions or exchanges that pose a high risk of spreading disease will be prohibited.

In the Czech Republic, avian flu last appeared for the last ten years in 2017 and hit other European countries. Because of the contagion, millions of poultry had to be spent in Europe. The birds had almost exclusively the H5N8 virus, which has not yet been shown to be transmitted to humans. At that time, 98,000 birds were slaughtered in Czech farms because of the disease, mostly in commercial farms. There were nearly 40 outbreaks in the country.

Bird flu is a dangerous viral infection of chickens, turkeys, water poultry, pigeons, feathered game, exotic birds and wild birds. Avian influenza viruses are commonly found in wild birds and are transmitted mainly through faeces. Therefore, infection is most often caused by ingestion of feed or water contaminated with faeces of infected birds. Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses cause high morbidity and mortality in birds.