site.btaBird Flu Situation in Yambol Region Remains Risky after October Outbreak

The situation with the spread of bird flu in Yambol region remains risky, Dr. Stoyan Kolev of the regional directorate of the Food Safety Agency told BTA. More than 350,000 birds were culled due to the disease in an industrial poultry farm near the village of Bolyarsko in October and November.

The outbreak has been eliminated and samples in a 10 km sanitary zone, including ten villages, were negative. However, the situation is still complicated, said Kolev. "As the virus affects farm populations, farmers should protect their farms with biological protection. The infection is transmitted through vehicles," he said.

Wild birds are also among the risk factors for the transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza. The avian virus is not dangerous for humans, but it leads to huge economic losses for industrial farms, the veterinarian reminded. A few years ago, more than 100,000 birds were destroyed in industrial farms and private farms in Yambol Region due to outbreaks of the disease.