Bird flu outbreak in a poultry farm in Ferrara (Italy)

An outbreak of a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus struck a commercial farm of layer hens near Ferrara, Italy. The farmer timely informed about suspect clinical signs, thus allowing the detection of the disease. The diagnostic tests were performed by the Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute and by the National Laboratory in Padua, and revealed that the virus belong to the H7 subtype, whilst further diagnostic examination to determine its N type are ongoing.

A protection zone of 3 km and a surveillance zone of 10 km have been established around the farm, which is under restriction. No signs of the infection were found in the other surrounding farm. The suppression of the infected animals will be executed within seven days. All these measures were undertaken in collaboration with the World Health Organization and the European Commission, which were promptly informed about the situation by the Italian Minister of Health.