Outbreak of bird flu in poultry farm in Assenovgrad, 70 000 birds will be culled

A new outbreak of bird flu has been identified by the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency in a poultry farm 4 km from the town of Assenovgrad (South Bulgaria). Due to confirmed cases of Type A influenza, more than 70,000 birds will be culled in a humane manner. This became clear after an emergency meeting of the Municipal Epizootic Commission in Assenovgrad on June 5.

The infection was found in a building with more than 28,000 birds aged about a year. There are about 72,000 chicken in the farm. All of them will be culled and the excrement will be buried in compliance with the requirements for non-spread of the infection. The mayor of Assenovgrad introduced a ban on trade in poultry, poultry meat and products on the animal market and municipal markets.

At an emergency meeting, the Municipal Epizootic Commission in Assenovgrad decided to notify all mayors of settlements about the case of bird flu, and they should inform the owners of poultry farms. Veterinarians have also come into contact with pigeon farmers because pigeons are thought to rapidly transmit the infection.

The sanitary authorities also determined a 3-kilometre protection zone around the farm where the outbreak was found.

A 10-kilometre monitored zone has been identified, which includes 15 settlements from four municipalities. The farm where the birds were raised will be mechanically cleaned and disinfected.