Bird flu is spreading rapidly in Europe. Countries such as Ireland, England, and France have decided to keep millions of birds in enclosed spaces.
According to Milli.Az, the increase in fatal bird flu cases in Europe has forced governments to take serious measures.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), often called "bird flu," has caused the death of hundreds of millions of birds in recent years. This year, the spread of the virus to dairy cows in the USA has led to disruptions in food supply, price increases, and a higher risk of human infection.
Ireland has confirmed a bird flu case for the first time in three years and has issued a nationwide order to keep all domestic birds indoors.
France, which had to cull more than 20 million birds in 2021-2022, implemented similar compulsory measures last month. England followed this decision on Tuesday, while the Netherlands and Belgium had already taken action in October.
In 15 of the 27 EU member states, bird flu cases have been recorded on farms this season.
Bird flu usually peaks in migratory birds during the autumn months, but this year, outbreaks have increased abnormally: while 189 cases were recorded last year, already 688 cases have been confirmed this season.
According to France’s animal health platform, 58 outbreaks have been recorded on farms in Germany this season—this accounts for more than half of the total 136 cases in the EU and the United Kingdom combined. A year ago, this figure was only 8.
Poland, the EU's largest poultry producer, ranks second with 15 outbreaks so far. However, the country has not yet made it compulsory to keep all domestic birds indoors.
