Three teams of veterinarians inspected the Old Beach area, located at the Vjosa estuary and the Narta Lagoon. They collected the dead birds and samples to undergo test and establish the cause of their death.

Demir Dervishaj, an inspector at the regional Veterinary Service in Vlora, suggested that an avian flu outbreak could be the cause of the death of birds in the area, saying that the infectious diseases is first contracted by wild birds, but it can spread to affect birds at backyard farms and larger farm complexes.

“As soon as we were informed by local residents, inspection teams were established to monitor the situation. We suspect that avian flu could be the cause of their death, yet final results are yet to be announced in the next three or four days after tests are conducted. The dead birds are mostly wild birds and waterfowls. No human cases of bird flu have been reported in our country,” Dervishaj said.

He added that no vaccination is available against the disease and that affected birds should be culled.

The veterinary expert noted that no human cases of the bird flu have been reported previously.

Avian influenza (AI) is a zoonotic viral endemic disease that affects poultry, swine, and mammals and it can cause major damages to the fauna and agriculture in the rural areas.

/j.p/u.sh/