An outbreak of H5N1 bird flu has been confirmed in a turkey fattening coop in Moshav Kfar Vitkin, near Netanya. Approximately 19,000 turkeys in six coops, all around 12 weeks old, were found to be infected.
To prevent the disease from spreading, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is following procedures recommended by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH). Key measures include:
- Establishing a quarantine zone within a 10-km radius of the affected coop.
- Restricting poultry movement and coop population in the quarantine area.
- Requiring strict biosafety measures for poultry handlers.
The ministry’s veterinary services are conducting active surveillance of all coops in the region to monitor and control the outbreak.
Guidelines for Poultry Owners
The ministry advises owners of ornamental birds, backyard poultry, and free-range coops to keep birds confined indoors to prevent contact with potentially infected wild birds, particularly during the migration season. So far, six instances of avian influenza have been detected in the region.
Public Safety Recommendations
To ensure public health, the Ministry of Agriculture urges the public to:
- Purchase meat, poultry, and eggs only from certified and organized markets.
- Ensure eggs are labelled, packaged, and stored correctly.
- Thoroughly cook, bake, or fry poultry and eggs before consumption to eliminate health risks.
Authorities remain vigilant and are working to contain the outbreak while ensuring public health and food safety standards are maintained.