Tel Aviv [Israel], January 22 (HBTV): H5N1 bird flu was diagnosed in a flock of turkeys at Kibbutz Tzora in the Mateh Yehuda Regional Council. This followed an unusual mortality of approximately 19,300 turkeys, aged 6.7 weeks, in four chicken coops. Samples sent to the laboratories of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security confirmed the suspicion.

This marks the 16th case of bird flu diagnosed in the current flu season in commercial chicken coops. Additionally, in the past two weeks, two other cases of bird flu were detected in a turkey coop at Kibbutz Tzora.

To prevent the spread of the disease, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is following procedures recommended by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) regarding the treatment of avian influenza.

A quarantine zone has been established within a 10 km radius of the infected poultry houses. In this zone, the movement of poultry is restricted, the population of poultry houses is prohibited, and strict biosecurity measures are enforced. The veterinary services at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security continue active monitoring of all poultry houses in the area.

The Ministry urges breeders of ornamental birds, poultry farms, and free-range poultry farms to keep poultry indoors, preventing them from roaming open areas to reduce the risk of infection from wild birds during the migration season. (ANI/TPS)