The Fødevarestyrelsen, the Danish Food and Veterinary Administration (computer translated), has raised the threat rating from low to medium over the discovery of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N8 avian influenza in the three European countries of the Netherlands, Germany and England.
The agency introduced mandatory inspection of the trucks and poultry crates that are used to transport poultry out of Denmark.This is done to reduce the risk of infection.
Wild birds and migratory birds that move over large distances, can contribute to the spread of bird flu. Food Administration encourages professional poultry breeders and hobby breeders to continue to monitor whether there are symptoms of bird flu in their herds. Typical symptoms of bird flu in poultry, decreased egg production, decrease in feed and water intake, respiratory problems, eye infections and diarrhea.
All bird species may be affected. Chickens and turkeys are most sensitive, while waterfowl are generally more resistant. The highly pathogenic – highly pathogenic – forms can provide up to 100 percent mortality in birds.
