Ministry announces: Bird flu detected in Konya!

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry stated that a case of bird flu was identified at an egg production facility in the Meram district of Konya and that eggs obtained from infected animals were immediately destroyed, adding, "There is no situation in our country that can be described as an epidemic."

In a statement made on the ministry's social media account, it was reported that bird flu cases were encountered in 158 countries last year and 74 countries this year.

The statement noted that because Turkey is located on 3 main bird migration routes and temporarily hosts wild birds for various periods during migration, there is a risk of cases emerging in Europe being carried into the country.

'EGGS WERE DESTROYED BEFORE BEING OFFERED FOR CONSUMPTION'

Providing information that veterinarians from the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture immediately arrived at the facility and quarantined the area after receiving reports of laying hen deaths in the Meram district of Konya on October 31, the statement noted the following:

-Samples taken from the facility were analyzed by expert teams at our Konya Veterinary Control Institute Directorate, and Avian Influenza H5N1 (Bird Flu) was detected in the tests performed. Within the framework of the World Organisation for Animal Health principles, a protection and surveillance zone with a radius of 10 kilometers was established, centered on the egg production facility where the disease emerged, and necessary biosecurity measures were taken at the facilities located in the said zone. From the moment of the first death, the exit of live animals, eggs, egg trays, and all kinds of substances and materials at risk of contamination from the region was stopped, and the destruction of identified or potentially contaminated animals, eggs, and feed has begun.

-All kinds of measures have been taken to prevent the spread of the disease. The disease detected in Konya is an isolated case, and there is no situation in our country that can be described as an epidemic. Eggs obtained from infected animals were immediately destroyed before being offered for consumption.

-We assure you that there is no situation in poultry products offered for consumption that would threaten human health, and we respectfully present to the public that they can be consumed safely.

News Source: 12punto