EU member states and poultry sector operators have been urged by the European Commission to be vigilant and step up biosecurity on poultry farms, in light of recent outbreaks of avian influenza.

Last week(November 4), a case of highly pathogenic avian flu (HPAI) was confirmed on aturkey fattening farm in Tótkomlós in Hungary's Békés region, close to the country'sborder with Romania.

Avian Influenza is caused by a type of influenza virus that is hosted by birds, but may infect several species of mammals. It was first identified in Italy in the early 1900s and is now known to exist worldwide. A strain of the H5N1-type of avian influenza virus that emerged in 1997 has been identified as the most likely source of a future influenza pandemic.Strains of avian influenza virus may infect various types of animals, including birds, pigs, horses, seals, whales and humans. However, wild fowl act as natural asymptomatic carriers, spreading it to more susceptible domestic stocks. Avian influenza virus spreads in the air and in manure and there is no evidence that the virus can survive in well cooked meat.

Poultry Vaccination as a strategy for controlling AI in commercial birds. Outbreaks of avian influenza in the poultry industry cause devastating economic losses and is generally controlled through extensive culling of infected birds. Alternative strategies also use vaccination as a supplementary control measure during avian influenza outbreaks. Precautionary requirements include cleaning and disinfection of premises and the establishment of a Biosecurity barrier to help prevent spread of disease is essential.

As of press times, European Union farm ministers are meeting to discuss the issue of state aid to the poultry sector as bird flu spreads among wild birds across Europe. Under current rules, Brussels can co-finance 50 per cent of the cost of any required culling of birds or destruction of eggs.

The European Commission has imposed a ban on the import of live poultry and feathers from Turkey after the country reported an outbreak of avian flu. The Commission has already placed similar restrictions on poultry from Russia, Kazakhstan and large parts of Asia.