Source:
https://www.gov.il/he/pages/bird_flu_nahalal
Avian influenza was detected in a flock of fattening turkeys in Nahalal
The Veterinary Services of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security have defined a quarantine zone of 10 km from the infected chicken coops
Type:
Press Releases
Units:
Veterinary Services and Livestock Health
Date of Publication:
08.01.2025
Avian influenza of the H5N1 type was diagnosed in a flock of turkeys in Nahalal in the Jezreel Valley.
In Nahalal, an unusual mortality was detected in approximately 17,000 pre-market turkeys, aged 14 weeks, kept in 9 buildings covering an area of approximately 7.5 dunams. As a reminder, on this farm in Nahalal, a flock of turkeys was culled in September 2024 due to infection Influenza.
This is the 12th case of avian influenza diagnosed this flu season.
In order to prevent the spread of the disease, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is acting in accordance with the procedures recommended by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) regarding the treatment of avian influenza. Among other things, a quarantine zone has been defined within a range of up to 10 km from the infected poultry houses, where poultry movements are restricted, the population of poultry houses is prohibited, and strict biosecurity measures are required from those involved in the industry. The veterinary services at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security continue to conduct active monitoring of all poultry houses in the area. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security calls on breeders of ornamental birds and poultry farms, as well as free-range poultry farms, to keep their poultry indoors, prevent them from roaming in open areas, and thus reduce the risk of infection from wild birds during the migration season.
During the current flu season (2024-2025), the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has dealt with 12 outbreaks of avian influenza in commercial chicken coops. The first incident was in the same chicken coop in Moshav Nahalal, followed in September and October by additional outbreaks in Moshav Ram-On in the Ha'anach region, in another chicken coop in Nahalal, in Kibbutz Alonim and in Kibbutz Tzora, in Emek Hefer. From the end of December until the current incident, 2 chicken coops in Mein Zvi, 2 chicken coops in Kfar Vitkin, a chicken coop in Kibbutz Mishmar Ha'emek and a laying hen coop in Hibat Zion were affected.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security emphasizes that meat, poultry and eggs purchased only at organized points of sale and marketing should be consumed. Eggs must be marked and packaged in a cardboard box or plastic on each side. In addition, eggs and chicken meat should only be consumed after they have been thoroughly cooked, baked or fried to prevent a health hazard.