Azerbaijani health authorities provide information about bird flu situation

Concerns about the spread of avian influenza, more commonly known as bird flu, regularly cause public anxiety, as the virus can move quickly through poultry flocks and wild bird populations. These fears tend to intensify when reports emerge of precautionary mass cullings aimed at containing outbreaks. Health authorities have now provided updated information on whether residents of Azerbaijan should be concerned.

The Food Safety Agency of Azerbaijan (AFSI/AQTI) has released the results of monitoring conducted in January to check for the presence of avian influenza in the country, as Caliber.Az reports.

The checks were carried out across the entire territory of Azerbaijan, including the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. The measures covered wetlands, coastal areas and other territories of state nature reserves, hunting grounds and national parks, as well as reservoirs and riverbanks. Blood samples were collected from wild and domestic birds, including those at poultry farms, and sent for laboratory analysis.

According to the agency’s findings, no cases of avian influenza were detected in the country.

Diagnostic samples taken from domestic poultry were also tested for Newcastle disease, a severe and potentially fatal viral illness that affects birds. Similarly, no cases raising suspicion of infection were identified.

According to international health agencies, human infections with avian influenza are rare and typically occur only after prolonged, close contact with infected animals. Person-to-person transmission is considered extremely uncommon.

While concerns persist among some consumers about the possibility of infection through food, health authorities worldwide emphasize that the risk is eliminated when poultry products are properly cooked. The virus does not survive high temperatures, meaning poultry should be prepared until it reaches an internal temperature of 75 degrees Celsius, while eggs should be cooked until both the yolk and white are firm.

The proper and regular washing of hands, as well as safe disposal of sick animals and not consuming poultry that has died suddenly without known causes are other important guidelines to bare in mind for prevention.

By Nazrin Sadigova