From Iceland — Bird Flu Breakout In Iceland Likely

Bird Flu Breakout In Iceland Likely

Published March 24, 2017

Nanna Árnadóttir
Photo by
USAID Wikimedia Commons

Preparations against a possible bird flu outbreak have been ramped up, reports RÚV.

The Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (IFVA) has released a statement warning that a serious outbreak is likely due to an influx of migratory birds streaming into the country with the virus.

A special task force of academics from the University of Iceland and specialists with the IFVA were the ones to issue the recommendation and as a result the Ministry of Industry and Innovation have rolled out temporary procedures to attempt to prevent against possible outbreaks.

The new rules, which include keeping poultry inside and ensuring that the poultry’s water source is inaccessible to birds outside, should ensure that wild migratory birds don’t come into contact with farmed poultry.

It remains to be seen just how long these rules will stay in effect.

There is nothing to indicate that the flu the birds are carrying is transmittable to humans.

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