Avian influenza infection of fur animals has been found in farmed minks in Alavieska. This is the first case of avian influenza in a fur farm in Northern Ostrobothnia. The case shows that the risk of avian influenza infections is not yet over and it is necessary for fur farms to continue taking protective measures.
Highly pathogenic type H5N1 avian influenza has been found at 27 fur farms in total. With the most recent case being the exception, these cases were found in the regions of South and Central Ostrobothnia and Ostrobothnia in July and August.
The case of avian influenza in Alavieska was found by the Finnish Food Authority on 27 September in studies carried out after the owner of the fur farm reported the symptoms and deaths of the animals to the municipal veterinarian. Finnish Food Authority orders all animals to be culled at the fur farm as a result of the avian influenza infection. The source of infection at the farm is being investigated.
An avian influenza survey of all fur farms in Finland was launched in September. Sampling has progressed as planned. The first results of the survey are to be published in the beginning of next week (week 40).
More information:
Terhi Laaksonen, Director, tel. +358 29 520 4530 (Animal Health and Medication)
Research Professor Tuija Gadd, tel. +358 29 520 4183 (virological studies)
E-mail: firstname.lastname@ruokavirasto.fi
Read more:
Avian influenza
Zoonoses on Finnish fur farms – risk profile (pdf)
More information on the risk to human health of avian influenza (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, in Finnish and Swedish only)
Instructions of the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health on protection against an avian influenza infection (in Finnish and Swedish only)