The outbreak of bird flu, which claimed the lives of thousands of cranes, is one of the most serious natural disasters known to Israel.
The outbreak of the flu revealed the violent strain of the disease - the H5N1 virus, with more than a million birds and 8,000 cranes infected with the severe flu.
Apparently, the source of the flu outbreak in Europe.
About half a billion migratory birds pass over Israel every year from Europe, where the outbreak of the disease occurred.
According to estimates, while in a body of water with birds in Israel, the infection began.
Crane bodies, Photo: Photo: Eyal Margolin - Ginny
To date, 20 avian flu hotspots have been found among poultry farms across the country.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, all the centers were isolated and in most of them the treatment ended.
Where not, the treatment is advanced under the management and supervision of the employees of the Ministry of Agriculture.
According to estimates by professionals in the veterinary services at the Ministry of Agriculture, "the incident is returning to a controllable dimension."
At the same time, there was concern about a shortage of 10% of egg consumption in Israel and 2.4% of organic egg consumption in Israel.
Therefore, upon receipt of the report regarding the fear of shortage of eggs, the Minister of Agriculture, Oded Forer, ordered the opening of tariffs and allowing the import of eggs to Israel.
"The mortality rate of the cranes is frightening, we still do not know the extent of the full damage together to other birds because they die in distant places and not in overcrowding," said bird researcher Dr. Moti Charter of the Shamir Institute of Research and University of Haifa, adding: Birds have been harmed so we will know how the flu passes.
Luckily for us, it's not too late yet.
We must document everything - wildlife, birds, mammals, soil and water because in a month we will not know enough.
The big risk is in a situation where you will mutate through the secretions and feces and then we will be left with the fears, without the ability to resolve the matter, because the sky can not be closed to the birds.
"Views of birds falling from the sky can be realistic."
Cranes in the sick reedbed in better days, Photo: Eyal Margolin, Ginny
Dr Ronnie King, a Nature and Parks Authority veterinarian, added: “Beyond the cranes, we have seen a few dozen pelicans die, it is possible that their relatively low numbers are just because it is the end of their migratory season.
In addition, we saw influenza among birds of prey, such as a winter heel and falcon, which were positive for bird flu. "
Dr. King noted that “at this stage we are examining whether the disease is spreading in areas farther away from their main foci in the Hula Valley.
We are explicitly concerned about mammals, because of documentation from Europe that shows potential harm to them.
Yes we need to think about re-preparing, in preparation for the spring migration, maybe think about changing the way of feeding that may reduce a future outbreak.
The cranes apparently did not come with the flu from a distance, but became infected with it in the Hula Valley. "
Avian flu is passed from person to person?
Dr. King referred to the danger of human disease, "The danger of pandemic certainly exists but human mortality is not on the agenda in Israel as long as the situation continues where there is no close contact between man and fly in any way and care must be taken."
As far as is known, the avian influenza virus of this strain has never been transmitted from person to person, and no person has been infected with this strain of virus through eating contaminated food products.
At the same time, the Ministry of Agriculture again reminds the public to be careful about consuming chicken and egg products only after cooking, as high heat treatment (cooking, baking, frying), which destroys all bacteria and viruses in poultry, including poultry virus was and is present in products.
The ministry notes that this recommendation is valid in the routine, and now even more so.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture has sharpened its instructions to the public: "Avoid contact with poultry and wild birds. If you come across a sick chicken or a carcass of wild chicken, or you have a question about it, contact the Ministry of Agriculture hotline 6016 * active 24/7."
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