Authorities in Northern Cyprus warn of the risk of bird flu spread

Concerns about bird flu have resurfaced in Northern Cyprus following reports of a new H5N1 virus outbreak in Europe. Veterinary services are urging farmers and poultry owners to remain vigilant to prevent the disease from spreading to the island.

According to reports from Turkey and several European countries, the most severe situation is in Germany, where over 400,000 domestic birds have been culled due to the virus. The main infection hotspots have been identified in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Brandenburg, where about 280,000 birds have died.

Experts note that the virus spreads actively through migratory wild birds, which can infect farms along their flight routes. The Friedrich Loeffler Institute reports that in the past month, the virus has been detected in dozens of migratory bird populations across Central and Southern Europe.

The authorities of Northern Cyprus are urging the public to take precautions: prevent domestic birds from contacting wild ones, reinforce coops, avoid touching dead or sick birds, and immediately report any suspicious cases to veterinary services.

Although the risk of human infection remains very low, medical experts stress that transmission is possible through direct contact with infected birds or contaminated surfaces. Authorities emphasize that timely isolation of outbreaks and preventive measures help avoid the spread of infections similar to those seen in Europe.

The situation is under control, but veterinary services continue monitoring migratory birds and farms, particularly in coastal areas where the risk of infection is traditionally higher.