Finnish fur farms report no avian influenza cases this year

Finnish fur farms have successfully avoided avian influenza this year. According to the Finnish Food Authority, a recent intensive survey revealed that none of the nearly 2,800 samples taken from over 250 farms tested positive for the virus. The last samples are still being analyzed.

In contrast, last year saw a major outbreak that severely impacted fur farms in Finland. The avian influenza epidemic affected over 70 farms in the Ostrobothnia region, necessitating the culling of all infected animals. This was a devastating blow for many farms, leading several into financial difficulties, while also posing a risk to human health, although the virus ultimately did not spread to people.

The outbreak triggered extensive control measures, largely due to the fact that the virus had been transmitted from wild birds to fur animals. This year, the virus has only been detected in a single wild bird, according to the Food Authority’s monitoring efforts. However, the authority suggested to Yle in September that avian influenza may not be entirely under control, as it is believed that the gulls associated with the spread of the disease may have developed resistance to the virus.