AlaskaDenise
In Memoriam
http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/CrisesArticle.aspx?storyId=L29821206&WTmodLoc=World-R5-Alertnet-4
Fri 29 Sep 2006 10:11:27 BST
GENEVA, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Switzerland on Friday announced "targeted" preventive measures to protect its poultry against bird flu carried by migratory birds heading south to Africa.
For six months from October 15, free-range chickens will be banned within one kilometre of 21 major lakes and rivers, where wild birds infected with the H5N1 virus might stop to rest or drink, it said.
"Within these regions...free-range poultry will be banned as well as poultry markets and exhibitions," the Swiss economy ministry said in a statement.
"The period of vigilance will not be limited to periods of migration, but throughout the winter," it said. The measures, to remain in place until April 30, 2007, could also be reinforced.
Some 32 dead wild birds were found with the H5N1 virus last February and March in Switzerland, mainly around lakes, leading to a national order to bring poultry indoors, lifted in May.
No human cases were reported.
Monitoring of wild birds around lakes, as well as analysis of any dead birds found, continues, the statement said.
The preventive measures affect about 1,000 of the 17,000 professional farms and 4,000 of the 50,000 amateur chicken raisers -- less than 10 percent of the overall total, it said.
Switzerland's summertime bird population of 50,000 swells ten-fold to 500,000 during the winter seasonal migration to African wintering grounds, it added.
The lakes affected by the measures include the four largest -- Lake Geneva, Lake Constance, Lake Neuchatel and Lake Zurich.
Most EU countries have relaxed measures requiring poultry to be kept indoors but authorities are ready to revive the order should risk levels increase. Switzerland is not an EU member.
In neighbouring Germany, the lock-up order remains in force, but large numbers of exemption permits have been issued during the period of low risk, allowing extensive free-range farming.
The Swiss measures are similar to those announced earlier this month by Belgium, according to Cathy Maret of the Swiss federal veterinary office in Berne.
Neighbouring France, where a farm last February became the first case of the virus in domestic farm birds in the EU, is also expected to announce measures soon, she added.
Fri 29 Sep 2006 10:11:27 BST
GENEVA, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Switzerland on Friday announced "targeted" preventive measures to protect its poultry against bird flu carried by migratory birds heading south to Africa.
For six months from October 15, free-range chickens will be banned within one kilometre of 21 major lakes and rivers, where wild birds infected with the H5N1 virus might stop to rest or drink, it said.
"Within these regions...free-range poultry will be banned as well as poultry markets and exhibitions," the Swiss economy ministry said in a statement.
"The period of vigilance will not be limited to periods of migration, but throughout the winter," it said. The measures, to remain in place until April 30, 2007, could also be reinforced.
Some 32 dead wild birds were found with the H5N1 virus last February and March in Switzerland, mainly around lakes, leading to a national order to bring poultry indoors, lifted in May.
No human cases were reported.
Monitoring of wild birds around lakes, as well as analysis of any dead birds found, continues, the statement said.
The preventive measures affect about 1,000 of the 17,000 professional farms and 4,000 of the 50,000 amateur chicken raisers -- less than 10 percent of the overall total, it said.
Switzerland's summertime bird population of 50,000 swells ten-fold to 500,000 during the winter seasonal migration to African wintering grounds, it added.
The lakes affected by the measures include the four largest -- Lake Geneva, Lake Constance, Lake Neuchatel and Lake Zurich.
Most EU countries have relaxed measures requiring poultry to be kept indoors but authorities are ready to revive the order should risk levels increase. Switzerland is not an EU member.
In neighbouring Germany, the lock-up order remains in force, but large numbers of exemption permits have been issued during the period of low risk, allowing extensive free-range farming.
The Swiss measures are similar to those announced earlier this month by Belgium, according to Cathy Maret of the Swiss federal veterinary office in Berne.
Neighbouring France, where a farm last February became the first case of the virus in domestic farm birds in the EU, is also expected to announce measures soon, she added.