Due to bird flu, it is planned to establish permanent biosecurity requirements for poultry

Feeding and watering, on the other hand, will have to be done in areas that are fenced off, preventing wild waterfowl access, and also covered with a waterproof roof.

The Ministry of the Interior states that permanent biosecurity requirements will also be set for animal shelters and wild bird rehabilitation centers.

When placing sick or injured wild waterfowl in an animal shelter or wild bird rehabilitation center, the birds must be kept in isolation from the other birds present there for no less than 21 days from the moment of placing the wild waterfowl, and it will also be necessary to ensure separate care and feeding of these birds, using a special designed for these birds inventory and tools.

The Ministry also informs that the participation of poultry and captive birds in events, including animal competitions, markets, auctions, exhibitions and other events, will be prohibited in the future until the risk of contracting APPG decreases. Also, it will be prohibited to release captive birds to restore hunting resources.

Taking into account that the APPG virus is also dangerous for humans, in case of human illness, the Ministry of Health calls on the Center for Disease Prevention and Control to be reported.

It has already been reported that on May 16, the government adopted amendments that provide for the extension of enhanced biosecurity requirements for poultry farms until May 31.

So far, bird flu has been detected in wild birds in Daugavpils, Krāslava, Veselava parish of Cēsu county, Madon, Lapmežciem, Jēkabpils, Salaspils parish and Roja.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza is an acute, highly contagious infectious disease of birds characterized by high mortality. Reservoirs and distributors of the virus in nature are wild birds, especially waterfowl, which can develop the disease without characteristic symptoms. Poultry can become infected through contact with infected wild birds, their secretions and faeces. Birds can also be infected with contaminated water, feed or objects (shoes, clothing, equipment) on which the virus has come.

Last year, the first case of bird flu in wild birds in Latvia was detected in January, when bird flu was detected in six swans. It was the only case of illness registered in Latvia in 2022.