In Konya, Türkiye, a protection and surveillance zone with a radius of 10 kilometers was established around the affected facility following reports of deaths in egg-laying poultry due to bird flu. The Ministry of Agriculture stated that necessary measures have been taken and characterized the incident as an isolated case that does not pose a threat of an outbreak.
On October 31, 2024, following reports of deaths among egg-laying poultry in the Meram district of Konya, officials from the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture promptly arrived at the facility and implemented quarantine measures. Samples taken by experts from the Konya Veterinary Control Institute tested positive for the H5N1 virus (avian influenza), commonly called bird flu.
In accordance with the criteria set by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), a protection and surveillance zone with a 10-kilometer radius was established around the affected facility. Necessary biosecurity measures were implemented at the businesses within this zone, and the movement of live animals, eggs, and other potentially contaminated materials was halted. Eggs obtained from infected birds were destroyed before they could be brought to market.
In an official statement from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, it was noted that the case identified in Konya is an "isolated incident" and does not pose a threat of an outbreak in the country. It was emphasized that poultry products available for consumption are safe for human health and that the situation is being closely monitored.
According to statistics released by the Ministry, in 2023, bird flu cases were reported in 158 countries, whereas this number has been limited to 74 countries so far this year.
RAPID SPREAD IN EU RISE CONCERNS
The European Union is experiencing a faster spread of bird flu this season compared to last year, with 62 outbreaks reported since August 1, significantly higher than the seven reported at the same time in 2023, according to data from the WOAH. Hungary has seen the most outbreaks, raising concerns about potential mutations of the virus that could affect human health, as noted by experts. "The situation at EU level is surely more worrying than it was at the same stage last year," said Yann Nedelec, director of French interprofessional poultry group Anvol.