The avian influenza virus was detected in fallen hens found in the forest in Janowiec Kościelny Municipality, Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship. According to a veterinary inspection, laboratory tests confirmed the presence of avian influenza virus in abandoned birds. The police are investigating the case, and the perpetrators are facing up to 8 years in prison.
In the forest close Napierek close Nidzica almost 500 dead hens were found, and a day later another 230 pieces were discovered in bags. The case was notified to the police and veterinary services. The findings were made at the border with the Mazowieckie Voivodeship, where bird flu occurs.
According to the police, "on Tuesday (08.04.2025) we received information that the dead poultry is infected with the avian influenza virus, as a consequence of the above legal qualification of the act has been changed to a criminal offence and that action is presently being carried out towards Article 165 of the Criminal Code, i.e. causing an epidemiological threat which is punishable by up to 8 years of imprisonment."
The region Veterinary Doctor at Nidzica Jarosław Odrachowski reported that laboratory tests of samples taken from fallen birds, carried out at the Veterinary Hygiene Department in Gdańsk, confirmed the presence of avian influenza virus (avian influenza) in abandoned chickens. ‘In accordance with the procedures in force for the final confirmation of the result, samples will be transferred to the State Veterinary Institute- State investigation Institute in Puławy, the national mention laboratory for avian influenza’, he said.
Bird flu is simply a viral illness caused by influenza A viruses. It mainly touches birds (both poultry and chaotic birds). Infections of birds may be caused by highly pathogenic influenza viruses and low pathogenic viruses. HPAI viruses, peculiarly subtype H5, are widespread among chaotic birds in Europe. any HPAI viruses can origin severe diseases in humans, e.g. A(H5N1), A(H5N6) and A(H7N9) with mortality of up to 50%.
It is recommended that poultry farmers keep peculiar care and usage appropriate biosecurity measures to minimise the hazard of transmission of avian influenza virus, including, inter alia, the protection of feed from chaotic animals, not feeding poultry outside buildings where animals are kept and the usage of protective clothing and footwear on the holding. The breeders should besides inform the applicable persons and institutions: the veterinarian of private practice, the authoritative veterinarian, the mayor, the mayor or the president of the city of all suspected outbreaks of infectious poultry illness in their farms.
According to the data of the Main Veterinary Inspectorate, 145 cases of avian influenza in poultry were reported in Poland in 2022, resulting in the death of over 1.5 million birds. Therefore, poultry farmers should be peculiarly highly agitated and take all possible precautions to prevent the spread of the avian influenza virus.
It is worth noting that avian influenza may have serious consequences for public wellness and the economy, and it is so essential to take all essential preventive measures to prevent the spread of the avian influenza virus.
