In June-July 2023, highly pathogenic avian influenza of the type H5N1 has been diagnosed in several locations in Finland. The disease has been detected especially in gulls. In addition, the disease caused by the virus has been detected in farmed fur animals in South and Central Ostrobothnia. At the moment, the infection has been diagnosed on ten fur farms. The investigations will continue.
Under the Animal Diseases Act, the Finnish Food Authority establishes an infected zone to prevent further spread of the disease. The infected zone covers the regions of Southwest Finland, Satakunta, South Ostrobothnia, Ostrobothnia and Central Ostrobothnia. The decision is valid immediately.
It is prohibited to keep poultry and captive birds outdoors in the infected zone. The prohibition also applies to establishments with organic production. Possible exemptions can be found in the decision.
Measures to be taken in the infected zone to prevent the spread of the infection
- Visits by persons to the housing facilities of poultry and captive birds are prohibited if they are not necessary.
- Persons visiting the housing facilities of poultry or captive birds must wear the protective clothing used only in the facility concerned and change their footwear when entering and leaving the facility. In addition, they must wash and disinfect their hands when entering the facility. If washing hands is not possible, hands must nevertheless be disinfected.
- The feed and bedding for birds must be stored in such a way that wild birds do not come into contact with them.
The designation of the infected zone will be repealed when the Finnish Food Authority assesses that there is no longer any need for it to prevent the spread of avian influenza. The Finnish Food Authority will also report separately when the designation is repealed.
The Finnish Food Authority recommends that poultry be also carefully protected in other parts of the country. If symptoms of avian influenza, abnormal mortality or changes in production are observed in poultry or other birds, the municipal or the provincial veterinarian must be informed immediately. A decline in the consumption of water and feed or in egg production may be a sign of an avian influenza infection.
Mass deaths of wild birds and individual dead birds of prey must also be reported to the municipal or the provincial veterinarian. The municipal veterinarian will take care of sending the required samples to the Helsinki office of the Finnish Food Authority.
Avian influenza viruses are not easily transmitted to humans and being infected usually requires close contact with a wild bird, poultry, or their secretions.
Further information:
Sirpa Kiviruusu, Head of Unit, tel. +358 40 0920503.
E-mail: firstname.lastname@ruokavirasto.fi
Further reading
Decision on establishing an infected zone under the Animal Diseases Act 20 July 2023 (in Finnish)
Avian influenza
Fur farm zoonoses risk profile (pdf)
THL: Avian influenza
THL: Guidelines for the prevention of human avian influenza infections (in Finnish)