The Veterinary Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina confirmed that in the area of the City of Gradiška, in the middle of last week, one focus of highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu) was confirmed in the dead swans found.
“The disease was initially confirmed by laboratory findings from the Veterinary Institute of the Republika Srpska “Dr. Vaso Butozan” from Banja Luka, after which it was confirmed by the reference laboratory for avian influenza at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Sarajevo, where it was established that it was subtype H5N1,” they said to Fena news agency from the Veterinary Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
As they added, the disease was reported to the Veterinary Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry of the Republic of Srpska through the regular reporting procedure, immediately after establishing the suspicion of the presence of the disease on February 7.
The Veterinary Office of BiH made an international report of the disease to WOAH and the EU in accordance with the procedures, and the competent veterinary bodies and competent veterinary inspection bodies of the Republika Srpska, in the area of the City of Gradiška and the Municipality of Srbac, implement all legally prescribed measures after the occurrence of this disease.
So far, as reported by the media, there have been no reports of suspected bird flu in domestic poultry. Experts say that the most important thing is prevention and the implementation of all veterinary and sanitary measures.
The last case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild animals in Bosnia and Herzegovina was recorded in 2021.