The discovery of a highly pathogenic strain of bird flu has forced the closing of North Macedonia’s main zoo in Skopje, the Food and Veterinary Agency said on October 19, raising concerns of poultry industries throughout the Balkan region. "Following testing after the death of a goose in the pond of the Skopje Zoo…the presence of a pathogenic strain of the H5N1 bird influenza virus was determined,” the agency said. The zoo is to be closed for 21 days while experts disinfect the site and conduct inspections. The report comes a day after the virus was discovered in a flock of poultry in Bulgaria and in other regional countries in recent months. The spread of H5N1 has wreaked havoc on poultry flocks globally in recent years, also raising the risk of human transmission. To read the original story by RFE/RL's North Macedonia Service, click here.
Bird-Flu Discovery At North Macedonia's Main Zoo Raises Regional Concerns
Cases of bird flu have raised the concerns of the poultry industries in the Balkan region and elsewhere. (file photo)