Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza registered in three farms in Southern Bulgaria
Authorities in Bulgaria have confirmed the presence of outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in three poultry farms located in the southern part of the country. The news, announced on Monday by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), raises questions about the potential spread of the virus and has caused serious concern among farmers and regulatory bodies.
According to information provided to the international organization, two of the affected farms specialize in raising ducks. This fact is particularly significant, as ducks can often be asymptomatic carriers of the virus, which makes early detection of outbreaks even more difficult. The third farm was not specified, but it is located in the same southern region, suggesting potential regional contamination.
The registration of these cases comes at a time when many European countries are facing challenges related to the spread of avian influenza. The Bulgarian veterinary services are already taking measures to limit the spread of the infection, including placing quarantines in the affected areas and culling the affected birds, in accordance with established international protocols.
Experts emphasize that a quick and adequate response is of key importance for preventing epidemic waves. The situation is being monitored extremely carefully by local authorities and international partners, in view of the potential economic losses for the agricultural sector and the risk to public health. For now, there is no official data on spread outside the three specific farms, but large-scale checks are being conducted to identify any potential new outbreaks.