The responsible Polish authorities report that 14 outbreaks of highly pathogenic ird flu (HPAI) have already been recorded in commercial poultry farms in Poland during January this year. More than 617 000 birds have been destroyed on these farms and cases have also been recorded on three small farms. Lithuanian poultry keepers are urged to refrain from importing poultry from an HPAI-affected country.

“As a reminder, any animal, even a single bird, must be accompanied by a veterinary certificate issued by the competent authority if it is to be imported into Lithuania. Due to the increasing number of HPAI outbreaks, we urge Lithuanian citizens not to plan to import poultry, such as day-old chicks, chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys and their chicks, or any other poultry or wild birds. Careless behaviour can have very serious consequences for the whole country, warns Vaidotas Kiudulas, Chief Veterinarian of the Republic of Lithuania.

The latest outbreaks have been recorded in the Polish regions of Puławy, Tarnowskie Góry, Kluczbork, Lubliniec and Góra. Control measures have been implemented in all outbreaks where HPAI has been detected: infected holdings have been isolated and infected birds and their products are being destroyed. 

"Two recent outbreaks in Poland have been detected on holdings with more than 200 000 birds. This is not only a huge economic loss, but also a very serious signal to neighbouring countries.  The lightning-fast outbreaks in Poland are a threat not only to the local poultry sector, but also to the Lithuanian poultry industry. Those who have trade relations with Poland are cautioned to monitor their trade with the country very strictly and to limit imports of new birds,“ – urges V. Kiudulas.

According to the responsible authorities, Polish experts are working at the sites of the outbreaks, carrying out epizootic investigations to identify possible virus transmission. Protection and surveillance zones have been established around the outbreak sites.