Through a press release, it is reported that the relevant authorities began tracking of the disease with an in-depth epidemiological investigation as soon as the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development received the first signal for the death of chickens.

“Consecutive analyzes, on different days, in different samples, in different establishments, all over the country, taken during this period, confirmed the laryngotracheal disease found only in two establishments in Durrës. While tracking and monitoring from the first signaling for each day with testing, a sample taken on March 19, 2022, analyzed by the reference laboratory of the Institute of Food Safety and Veterinary, resulted after analysis with the advanced molecular method RT-PCR “, with the presence of avian influenza, H5N8”, it is said in the announcement.

According to the Ministry, “The epidemiological investigation so far speaks of an isolated case.”

“The area is put in quarantine and there are given instructions on safety and hygiene measures to be implemented; all measures have been taken to limit the spread of this disease by determining the perimeter of the area from which the movement of birds, their products and by-products is prohibited,” reads the press release.

“It is suggested that chicken poultry foods be cooked at temperatures above 70 ° C and eggs should also be well cooked. The cooking of meat and eggs ensures the inability of the virus to be present in raw products that enter the food chain”, it is said in the press release.

Also, the Ministry of Agriculture stated that, “There is no epidemiological evidence that this virus can be transmitted to humans through food, poultry and eggs.”

“Through the National Food Authority, we inform consumers that foods of poultry origin on the market are within the standards and are verified by our inspectors, who are re-inspecting every trader, poultry processor in the field for a full compliance with the rules” it is read in the press release./m.m//a.a/p.s./