Flash News

E-TJERA

The spread of H5N1 seriously endangers wild birds in Albania

The spread of H5N1 seriously endangers wild birds in Albania

The Albanian Ornithologists' Association (AOS) confirmed the presence of H5N1 avian influenza in the Divjakë-Karavasta wetland area, following joint field monitoring and controls that their team conducted together with the Fier Regional Administration of Protected Areas.

"Wild bird carcasses were found in Divjaka Karavasta," the AOS public announcement reads.

"Unfortunately, 9 wild bird carcasses were found in a limited wetland area," the announcement continues.

H5N1 is a type of avian influenza virus - also known as bird flu - that mainly affects birds, but can also infect humans and other animals in rare cases. This virus is highly contagious and dangerous to birds, often causing epidemics in flocks of birds.

According to ornithologist Taulant Bino, the spread of this flu has extremely negative effects in both the short and long term, even risking the extinction of certain bird species.

"In the short term, the flu causes massive die-offs of wild bird populations, including gulls, pelicans, ducks, and birds of prey and scavengers," Taulant Bino told BIRN.

Ornithologist Bino emphasized that for pelicans, the spread of this flu is even more critical since they begin nesting in January, and this increases the possibility of high numbers of dispersal and deaths.

"Especially for small colonies like the Dalmatian Pelican in Divjaka-Karavasta, it could lead to almost complete loss of the population in the long term," Bino told BIRN, stressing that if recovery occurs, it will be extremely difficult.

According to Bino, measures that can be taken to prevent the further spread of the flu are related to monitoring sick birds in all wetlands in the country, as well as their collection and disposal using safe methods to avoid increasing the rate of infection in other species./ BIRN

Latest news