At the beginning of this week, bird flu was detected at Nuudi farm in Hiiumaa. About half of the birds have already died. The Agricultural and Food Board (PTA) says that all remaining birds must be culled.
The mayor of Hiiumaa, Heigo Tasuja, said that the birds must be culled en masse because the virus can spread. Birds that do not show signs of the disease cannot be spared. The birds will be culled according to the rules.
After the culling, the farm will be cleaned. The farm will be monitored for the disease for a few more days. If no new cases of infection are found, the restrictions can be lifted.
Olev Kalda, head of the Animal Health Department of the PTA, said that the bird flu case in Hiiumaa is the largest. Therefore, protection and surveillance zones were established in Hiiumaa. Bird keepers are not allowed to take bird eggs out of the farm.
Kalda said that the virus confirmation came on Friday and the laboratory confirmed the flu on Monday. About 40 birds have already died. The remaining birds are still alive but are also sick. Quick culling will help the birds and prevent the spread of the disease.
The culling will be carried out as soon as possible. Since the beginning of October, the virus has been detected at three poultry farms in Estonia. Bird keepers will be compensated for their losses.
At the moment, there are no cases of infection in humans. Kalda said that Estonia is at risk. Forecasts from the European Food Safety Authority show that the West Estonian islands, such as Hiiumaa, Saaremaa, and Muhu, are at risk.