The Ministry of Agriculture says that the bird flu situation in the country is under monitoring and control.
Through a statement, the ministry clarifies that daily groups of 7 official service and control veterinarians are engaged in the field.
According to the ministry, the human samples taken have been tested by the Institute of Public Health and have been negative.
Announcement of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
In the framework of public transparency, we inform you that the bird flu situation is under monitoring and control, by the institutional chain of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, for the early detection and limitation of the spread of the H5N1 virus.
Throughout the weekend, on October 30 - November 3, 2024, daily groups consisting of 7 official veterinarians of the service and control, were engaged in the field, according to the definitions of the perimeter of the protection and surveillance area for: inventory and clinical monitoring of 2304 farms, in which 96,900 birds of different categories and types are bred.
In the framework of the monitoring of Avian Influenza, immediately after the announcement of "alert" by the Reference Laboratory - ISUV, the Official Veterinary Service in implementation of the Order of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development No. 885, dated 30.10.2024 "On taking restrictive measures for the prevention and control of avian influenza disease in poultry, in open environments and in live animal markets" began the monitoring of farms within the protected area in the Administrative Unit Mzeze, Kashar , Tirana, and based on the Contingency Plan according to Minister's Order No. 411 dated 20.09.2022 "For the approval of the contingency plan for the Avian Influenza disease" has controlled the movement of live birds, in the confirmed positive area, in which samples were taken by the National Veterinary and Plant Protection Authority, for analyzed them at the Institute of Food Safety and Veterinary Medicine.
From October 30 to November 3, 2024, 90 official samples arrived and were analyzed at ISUV, which were tested with the accredited and advanced molecular RT-PCR method. The Reference Laboratory - ISUV, is responsible for testing samples related to Avian Influenza, has taken all measures to respond to the emergency situation, offering laboratory and technical capacity to analyze every sample received within 24-48 hours, with aimed at the rapid response of the responsible structures in the implementation of measures, related to the isolation of the case and the prevention of the spread of the infection.
The human samples taken have been tested by the Institute of Public Health, and have come back negative. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is closely cooperating with the Institute of Public Health, which is conducting an enhanced surveillance for respiratory infections in the farm area affected by the disease, namely, for timely detection and taking measures against the H5N1 virus.
The restrictive and preventive measures will be in force until the end of the quarantine period, and the National and Regional Crisis Centers will continue their coordination and function until the cases are closed, without recurrence. For any information and notification, we invite citizens and distributors to contact the National Veterinary and Plant Protection Authority,