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Possible H5N1 bird flu in Rotterdam zoo
A possible case of H5N1 avian influenza has been discovered in four
owls at the Rotterdam zoo in the Netherlands. If the infection is confirmed it
would be the first H5N1 infection in the
Netherlands.
The disease was discovered at the Diergaarde Blijdorp zoo during a routine
check. The zoo's initial suspicion was confirmed by the CIDC-laboratory in
Lelystad. A follow-up test will establish whether or not the virus is actually
the H5N1 strain of bird
flu.
The four hawk owls that died had not been vaccinated, because they hatched in
May, which was after the last vaccination round for bird flu in zoos.
The first animal became sick on July 27, with another two birds becoming sick
on July 30 and August 7, dying on August 9. On August 10 the fourth hawk owl
became sick. All animals have been removed from the zoo.
Visitors to the zoo are not in danger and the zoo remains open. All birds
that are not immunised will receive a vaccination or will be kept inside. The
aviary of the hawk owls has been screened.
How the hawk owls became infected is not yet clear and is under
investigation.
Two weeks ago a
mild H7 strain of bird flu was diagnosed at a farm in Voorthuizen. Several
countries banned
poultry imports from the Netherlands as a consequence.
Editor WorldPoultry
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