Birds infected with avian influenza have been found in Kallio, Helsinki in January. The disease has been confirmed in one Mute Swan and three Canada geese.
A symptomatic swan in Tokoinranta was taken to the Korkeasaari Zoo’s wildlife hospital to be euthanised, and the other birds were found dead in Eläintarhanlahti Bay.
The virus has been confirmed as H5N1 strain of avian influenza, causing high mortality in wild birds and poultry. The risk of human infection from H5N1 avian influenza is low.
Restrictions on keeping poultry outdoors due to avian influenza
To prevent the spread of the avian influenza virus, Finland has an annual ban on keeping poultry outdoors from 8 February to 31 May. During this period, poultry and other birds must be protected from contact with wild birds. Although this ban is not yet in force for this year, bird keepers are now urged to exercise special caution.
During the ban on keeping birds outdoors, birds must be kept indoors or their outdoor area must be protected with a sufficiently dense net. Keeping birds outdoors in Helsinki must be reported to the supervising veterinarian of the City of Helsinki’s Environmental Services. Poultry farmers should also closely follow information on the avian influenza situation provided by the Finnish Food Authority.
The aim of this regulation is to prevent contact between poultry and wild waterfowl, as waterfowl may carry avian influenza. The virus can be transmitted from wild birds to poultry if the birds are in direct or indirect contact with each other. The ban of keeping birds outdoors does not apply to free flights of pigeons, zoos or permanent animal exhibitions.
Poultry farms in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area are small hobby farms, most of which keep birds only in summer. The last review of the poultry sites was carried out about a year ago, and known poultry keepers were then informed of the restrictions on keeping birds outdoors.
There are no large poultry farms in Helsinki, such as broiler or turkey farms or large egg farms with laying hens.
Mass mortalities of birds to be reported
Symptoms of avian influenza in poultry and mass mortalities of wild birds in Helsinki must be reported to the City’s supervising veterinarian. The supervising veterinarian is available on weekdays 8.15–16.00 ( kymp.elainsuojelu@hel.fi(Link opens default mail program) , tel. +358 9 310 320 76 and +358 9 310 209 43)
Outside office hours, the report may be submitted to the Rescue Department or the state veterinarian on duty.
A mass mortality of birds is considered to occur if there are at least five dead waterfowl or ten other dead birds in the same area. You should avoid touching dead birds without gloves.
Winter feeding of wild birds continues at Tokoinranta
The City of Helsinki organises winter feeding for birds at Tokoinranta in Kallio. Feeding will continue to ensure the birds' nutrition, and the avian flu situation will not lead to any changes in feeding. Winter feeding of birds reduces the risk of birds spreading the disease to other areas.
Avian influenza is spread through bird secretions
Birds spread the disease in their droppings and secretions. Due to this, you need to change your shoes and clothes and wash your hands carefully when entering henhouses.
The currently circulating H5N1 avian influenza virus has not been found to have caused any human infections in Finland. Avian influenza viruses are poorly transmissible to humans, and infection usually requires close contact with infected wild birds, poultry or their excrement.
Avian influenza is not transmitted to humans through food, eggs and poultry, as long as the food is prepared and cooked properly.
Transmission of avian influenza to pets is very rare. However, cats and dogs should be kept away from sick and dead wild birds in an area where avian influenza has been confirmed. Avoid walking dogs in areas visibly contaminated with bird droppings.
