site.btaBird Flu Outbreak at Poultry Farm in NE Bulgaria

Sofia, March 5 (BTA) - The Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) Monday reported an outbreak of the highly pathogenic H5N8 bird flu virus at a poultry farm in the northeastern town of General Toshevo, Dobrich Region.

All measures for the liquidation of the outbreak have been taken in accordance with EU law. A total of 140,000 laying hens will be culled at the farm, the BFSA said.

A three-kilometer protection zone and a ten-km observation area around the livestock site have been set up, the BFSA also said, adding that a ban on the trade and movement of domestic, wild and other birds and trade in eggs, has been imposed. The number of clinical checkups of the birds bred in the other settlements in Dobrich Region has been increased, the agency said.