Also in Ticino and Zurich – bird flu virus detected in Mediterranean gulls in Sursee/LU – News
- Laboratory tests in a yellow-legged gull in the canton of Lucerne have confirmed the highly contagious H5N1 bird flu virus.
- The wild bird was found with typical symptoms a week ago on the edge of the old town of Sursee LU.
- The poultry farms in the vicinity of the site known to the cantonal veterinary service were informed directly.
Since it is a wild bird and no poultry farms are directly affected, the Lucerne State Chancellery announced that the measures that have been in force throughout Switzerland since the end of November have not changed for the canton of Lucerne. However, it has been shown that the virus is also circulating in the wild bird population in the canton of Lucerne and that the precautionary measures imposed “must continue to be observed”.
These include restrictions on running out, protection against contact with wild birds, the separate keeping of chickens and geese and ducks, as well as hygiene regulations. Anyone who finds dead wild birds should not touch them and should contact the police, the game warden or the hunting and fishing inspectorate.
Cases in Ticino and Zurich
At the end of November last year, the virus was detected in a swan in Ticino. The animal disease had previously occurred in a private animal facility in the canton of Zurich.
According to current knowledge, the H5N1 virus strain can only be transmitted to humans in extremely rare cases and only in the case of very close contact. For example, in many areas of Asia and North Africa, where people live in close contact with sick poultry, they can contract the bird flu virus. The first symptoms appear after 2 to 14 days and are similar to severe flu-like symptoms.