First case of avian flu in western Switzerland, one in the Basel area

After several reports in German-speaking Switzerland and Ticino, the first cases of bird flu have also been detected in a gull in the canton of Vaud and in the canton of Baselland.

Vaud: The bird was found injured in Coinsins, not far from Nyon, and taken to a treatment center, where it later died.

The carcass was then examined for bird flu. The strain H5N1 has been identified, as the canton of Vaud announced on Tuesday. The outbreak of bird flu in the canton is a reminder of the importance of complying with the preventive measures imposed at the federal level last November. Their main purpose is to avoid contact between wild birds and domestic poultry.

The Veterinary Office ordered specific measures for the affected care center. The release of birds has been suspended until further notice. Additional random checks were also carried out on birds at this care station to determine whether the virus had spread to the herd there. Depending on the outcome, the authorities will take further steps.

Bird flu has also been detected in two wild birds for the first time in the canton of Baselland. According to the canton, these are black-headed gulls that were found dead last week at the Birsfelden BL power plant in the Rhine.

Several wild birds were found dead at the time, the Basel-based Directorate of Economy and Health announced on Tuesday. Two of the three tested birds have now tested positive for the virus.

The H5N1 strain of bird flu virus can only be transmitted to humans after close contact with infected animals. Hygiene measures such as protective clothing are therefore important. If dead or sick birds are found, do not touch them or take them to a health center. People who make such finds are asked to contact game wardens, fisheries officers or the police.

The virus was last detected a few days ago in a black-headed gull in the canton of Aargau and in early February in black swans on private livestock farms in the canton of Zurich. The first cases in Switzerland were discovered last November in a gray heron and a peacock in a hobby farm near Winterthur ZH. (aeg/sda)