Main Zoo in North Macedonian Capital Shut Down After Avian Flu Case Detected In a Goose

[Mary Wilson]

Oct. 19, 2024, at 1:58 p.m.
By Associated Press
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SKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — The main zoo in North Macedonia’s capital Skopje was closed Saturday after authorities confirmed the presence of a highly pathogenic strain of bird flu.

According to a press statement, the flu was detected in a goose that died in a pond.

“Laboratory results confirmed a case of the presence of a pathogenic strain of the Avian influenza H5N1 virus,” the statement said.

Authorities immediately put down dozens of ducks, geese, chickens and one jackdaw, which inhabited the same pond. ...

https://www.usnews.com/news/health-...PJE, North Macedonia (AP),that died in a pond.
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[Commonground]

Oct. 20, 2024
Four Zoo employees under health watch, one to be tested for bird flu on Monday, PHI head says

• Epidemiologists from the Public Health Institute and from the Center for Public Health have interviewed Skopje Zoo staff following the confirmation of an H5N1 bird flu case at the zoo.

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Skopje, 20 October 2024 (MIA) -- Epidemiologists from the Public Health Institute and from the Center for Public Health have interviewed Skopje Zoo staff following the confirmation of an H5N1 bird flu case at the zoo.

Out of the 15 employees who were available for an epidemiologist interview, four will be placed under official health watch as of Monday.

One employee who reported having fever and diarrhea will be tested for bird flu, and efforts would be made to contact the 16th employee on their list as soon as possible, PHI director Marija Andonova said Sunday.

According to Andonova, the four employees who will be under health watch will not have to isolate or be quarantined.

"They will be medically monitored over the next two weeks for any potential symptoms of bird flu, which would need to be confirmed later. They will be contacted daily by PHI epidemiologists who will monitor their health," she said.

The employee's symptoms of fever and diarrhea on Oct. 18 did not necessarily point to a diagnosis of bird flu, Andonova said. The testing for the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus was being done at the recommendation of epidemiologists and microbiologists, she added.
​-snip-

The H5N1 bird flu infection was first detected in a goose that died in the zoo's pond on Oct. 14.

Samples were taken from the animal on suspicions of deadly avian disease, and on Oct. 15, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine lab performed tests. On Oct. 18, the test results confirmed the presence of the H5N1 virus.
-snip-
In line with FVA orders, the Skopje Zoo will be closed to visitors over the next 21 days

https://mia.mk/en/story/four-zoo-em...e-tested-for-bird-flu-on-monday-phi-head-says
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[Commonground]

Andonovska: Four employees from the Zoo will be under health supervision

​Of the 15 workers of the Skopje Zoo for whom the epidemiological survey has already been completed by the epidemiologists of the Center for Public Health (QSHP) and the Institute for Public Health (ISHP), four of them will be given decisions on the following day health surveillance, while one of them, who on Friday showed symptoms of high fever and diarrhea, will be tested for the possible presence of bird flu. For the 16th person on the list who has not yet been contacted, efforts will be made to contact him during the day, informed today the director of the PIH, Marija Andonovska.

"Health surveillance according to the protocols does not mean quarantine and isolation, but medical monitoring during the next two weeks if they show any symptoms that need to be investigated further and if it is bird flu. They will be contacted every day by PIH epidemiologists and their health status will be monitored," Andonovska declared today.

Epidemiologists, as she said, have informed her that one of the four people for whom the epidemiological survey was conducted, on October 18, had symptoms of fever and diarrhea that lasted for a day, which, as she said, "does not mean that the person has the flu birds".

"That person will be tested during the next day, because the recommendations of epidemiologists and microbiologists are that after the appearance of the first symptoms within five days, the test should be done", explains Andonovska.

...https://telegrafi.com/en/Andonovska...-from-the-zoo-to-be-under-health-supervision/
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[Commonground]

Translated
19.10.2024
The Agency for Food and Veterinary Medicine (AHV)

Confirmed virosopathogenic strain of the H5N1 bird flu virus in the Skopje ZOO

After the death of one goose located in the pond in the Skopje Zoo and the suspicion of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu), after laboratory testing of the dead bird, with laboratory results from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - Skopje, from 18.10.2024, a confirmed case of the presence of a virosopathogenic strain of the Avian influenza virus H5N1. During today's day, a competent official veterinarian carried out surveillance in the Zoo and measures were ordered to monitor the disease, humane killing and harmless removal of the following types of birds was carried out: 24 ducks, 6 geese, 5 chickens and one jackdaw. , which was present at the location. Measures have been ordered in accordance with the Law on Veterinary Health and the Rulebook on Measures for the Suppression and Eradication of the Avian Influenza Disease.

The entry and exit of animals from the zoo is prohibited, the movement of people (visitors) in the zoo is restricted, disinfection measures have been ordered, the examination of other birds present in the zoo for the presence of the bird flu virus, an increase in biosecurity measures and other measures, with the aim of suppressing the disease and preventing its spread outside the zoo in animals and in humans.

The measures will be in effect for 21 days starting today, during which time the zoo will be closed to visitors. The last cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza were in 2022, in the settlements of Gradec, Leski and Vinica, Selce in the municipality of Shtip and near Zlokucani, municipality of Karposh.

Avian influenza or avian influenza is a disease caused by the type "A" influenza virus of the Orthomyxiviridae family, which can cause heavy losses in the poultry industry and restrictions on the import and export of live birds and poultry products. Wild birds are known reservoirs for avian influenza viruses, mainly of low-pathogenic strains, so surveillance, monitoring, emergence and characterization of avian influenza viruses in wild birds are implemented globally, although the vast majority of these viruses do not cause disease.

Highly pathogenic strains of the virus are pathogenic for poultry, but as a zoonosis the disease can also be transmitted to humans.​

https://fva.gov.mk/mk/241019-potvrden-viosokopatogen-soj-virusot-ptichji-grip-h5n1-skopskata-zoo

 

[Commonground]

Translated
10/21
Veterinary Chamber: In cases like avian influenza, it is necessary to take drastic measures to eliminate the source and spread of the infection

Excerpt:
The procedures and measures in cases of zooanthroponosis infectious diseases - diseases that pass from animals to humans, as it is added, have been established by international institutions and should be consistently implemented. - In this regard, we emphasize that some strains of the avian influenza virus have been noted by world science as the causative agents of infectious diseases with the greatest potential for a new global pandemic. Considering all this, we call for calmness and social responsibility of all stakeholders in society, without creating a climate of mistrust and hindering the activities of the institutions responsible for protecting public health and the health of animals, the Veterinary Chamber points out.​

https://skopjeinfo.mk/veterinarna-k...a-nuzhno-e-da-se-prezemat-drastichni-merki-za