Switzerland prolongs preventive bird flu measures

 Switzerland on Wednesday decided to extend until March 31 precautionary measures seeking to prevent the propagation of the H5N8 bird flu strain.

This step was taken in view of "the concerning situation in Europe, as well as low temperatures in Northern Europe" which increase wild bird migration, the Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) said in a statement.

In light of this, restrictive measures seeking to reduce the risk of contamination of outdoor poultry from infected wild birds at feeding and watering times will continue at least another two months.

Aquatic birds infected by the H5N8 avian flu strain were first documented in Switzerland in November 2016.

According to FSVO, 121 wild birds have been tested positive since then, though productive poultry has to record any infections from the highly pathogenic virus.

The World Health Organization warned in November last year that while the transmission of the H5N8 bird flu strain to humans was unlikely, it should not be completely ruled out.

source: Xinhua