News release: Bird flu in Virolahti

The cause of death of the whooper swans found dead in Lake Kiiskijärvi in ​​Virolahti is
Highly pathogenic avian influenza of the H5N1 type has been discovered. The disease is spreading
very sensitive among birds, so it is expected that others will also
Sick or dead birds in the area have avian influenza.

Not easily transmitted to humans
Bird flu is highly contagious to all birds, but it can infect humans.
Infection requires contact with a sick or dead bird or
their secretions. In humans, these viruses usually cause mild
respiratory tract infection or conjunctivitis, but also
a more serious infection is possible.

Sick or dead birds or their droppings should not be touched. In particular:
Care should be taken to ensure that children or pets do not have access to these.

The situation is being monitored
Report to the veterinary inspectors or the person on duty outside office hours.
to the municipal veterinarian if you notice any in the same area

• more than one swan dead
• more than five other waterfowl or corvids dead
• more than ten other birds dead
• dead bird of prey

● Surveillance veterinarians: 040 199 1538 or 040 652 3431
● Municipal veterinarian on duty from 16pm to 08am: 0600 144 99
● elainlaakari@hamina.fi

Individual birds can be disposed of by burial or mixed with household waste without touching them.
A mask and disposable gloves should be worn when disposing of the bird.

If burial is possible, a grave at least 40 cm deep is dug,
where the bird is placed with a shovel. Alternatively, a single dead bird can be
put in two well-sealed plastic bags and dispose of in mixed waste.
After burial or bagging, disposable gloves are removed.
by pulling them inside out from the hands without touching the outside of the gloves. Hands
It is advisable to wash well with soap and water afterwards, and in addition,
It is good to use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Wash the shovel used for burial.
and disinfected.

A bird that died in the wild in a forest or other remote location can be left in its place.

It is important to protect poultry and other bird habitats
Disease control in poultry farms and other bird holdings will
take care to prevent avian influenza infections. Access to feed and drinking water
must be held indoors or in another location where
wild birds cannot enter. Although there is no ban on keeping poultry outdoors,
currently in force, it would be a good idea to keep poultry indoors or in a covered
in the outdoor garden to prevent infection. The roof of outdoor gardens should be such that
to prevent wild bird droppings from entering the farm. Feed must be stored protected and
The purity of drinking water must be ensured.

Bird flu spreads easily from wild birds to poultry and
to other birds through direct contact or secretions. The virus can spread
also, for example, with people or equipment contaminated with the virus.
Keepers of poultry or pet birds should not handle or dispose of sick birds themselves.
or dead wild birds to avoid this.

Keepers of poultry and pet birds must notify the municipal veterinarian,
if symptoms typical of influenza are observed in birds, such as apathy,
loss of appetite, runny nose, coughing, a clear decrease in egg production and/or
increased mortality.

If a person gets sick
The disease is not easily transmitted to humans, but if you suspect infection, call
first call the emergency number 116 117 or contact Oma
In the Kymenlaakso service chat.

Information on the development of the situation will be provided on these pages as necessary.

More information
Information about avian influenza on the Finnish Food Authority's website
https://www.ruokavirasto.fi/teemat/lintuinfluenssa/
Information about avian influenza on the THL website https://thl.fi/aiheet/infektiotaudit-ja-rokotukset/taudit-ja-torjunta/taudit-ja-taudinaiheuttajat-a-o/lintuinfluenssa