Aviaria in Cagliari, the alert extends to the Molentargius. Appeal to visitors and hunters
After the discovery of cases in Monte Urpinu, work is being done to monitor and contain the flu: almost 200 specimens will be culled
After the discovery of cases of avian in Monte Urpinu in Cagliari , the alarm goes off for the flamingos that fill the Molentargius.
The authorities launch the appeal not only to visitors to the park but also to hunters who fly the countryside: in case they come across dead birds they must warn to allow them to carry out the necessary checks and understand how widespread the flu is .
Meanwhile, the regional crisis unit met this morning to decide on containment and surveillance measures following the analyzes of the Zooprophylactic Institute of Sardinia, which confirmed the presence of the virus (IA) type A subtype H5 in some dead peacocks in Monte Urpinu .
Present at the meeting were the technicians of the regional health department, the Asl 8, the Izs and the national reference center for avian. "Active surveillance measures, on live animals, and passive, through research and investigation on dead animals, are already operational - declares the regional health councilor, Mario Nieddu - and measures have been adopted to limit access to the people in the area of the outbreak . In these hours, further actions will be defined, also with the involvement of the Forestry Corps and Forestas, to extend the investigations on the territory. During the meeting, the technicians also highlighted the low zoonotic risk, that is the risk of infection from animals to humans, which, according to scientific evidence, spreads by air through the dust produced by the faeces and through contact with infected animals ".
In-depth examinations are currently underway on the typing of the virus at the national reference center for avian influenza, in Padua. Just under 200 specimens, including hens, ducks, swans, geese and peacocks, which will be killed in Cagliari as a preventive measure , in addition to the closure of the green area until a later date.
"We are implementing the interventions provided for by EU regulations - explains the director of the complex structure Mario Ignazio Lai - we have found a highly pathogenic virus that could also be transmitted to humans, even if there is no need for alarmism. Now we are proceeding with the killing of all the animals inside the park, also because they are in contact with the public in the park, now closed, but which is usually frequented mainly by children and the elderly. These animals, in fact, circulate near the rides, and the direct contact with the specimens, however unlikely, or with the highly contagious faeces, can infect humans even if with mild symptoms typical of a cold ".
In the park, where disinfestation will also be carried out, only sentinel animals will remain, previously taken and periodically checked to assess the onset of the pathology given by the avian virus . "All these actions are preventive measures and it is good to point out that there is no danger for people", concludes Lai.
(Unioneonline / D)
