The Veterinary Services of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment have detected a case of H5N1 bird flu in a goose at the lake in Athalassa National Forest Park, in Nicosia district.
They advised visitors to the park not to approach, feed or come into close contact with the birds.
According to initial information, a woman noticed the goose behaving abnormally in recent days. It died the day after she spotted it.
The Veterinary Services are continuing laboratory tests with the EU reference laboratory to establish how virulent the virus is, and have informed the European Commission and the World Organisation for Animal Health.
Bird flu is a contagious viral disease of birds caused by the influenza A virus. Healthy birds become infected either directly, through contact with infected or sick birds, or indirectly, through contaminated objects.
The Veterinary Services said poultry farmers must take all necessary measures to prevent wild or migratory birds from coming into contact with their flocks. Backyard poultry owners must confine their birds to enclosed, covered areas to avoid any direct or indirect contact with wild birds, particularly in communities near wetlands.
Keeping poultry outdoors and giving them food and water outside are strictly banned. Owners should also avoid feeding their birds in a way that allows wild birds to eat the food, and must not give poultry water from surface water tanks that wild birds can reach.
Under the Animal Health Laws, owners who notice increased illness or deaths among their poultry that raise suspicion of the disease must report it immediately to their district veterinary officer.
District veterinary offices:
Nicosia: 22 805241
Larnaca: 24 821275
Famagusta: 24 824555
Limassol: 25 819512
Paphos: 26 821260
