THL: Avian influenza poses a risk to public health – improvements to health security needed at fur farms

August 4/2023

According to current data, avian influenza has spread to 21 fur farms in Finland. The first results from whole-genome sequencing indicate wild birds, particularly the black-headed gull, to be the source of infection. 

This is reflected in the "rapid communication" article published in the Eurosurveillance journal by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) and the Finnish Food Authority. The article describes the avian influenza epidemic currently ongoing in fur farms in the Central and South Ostrobothnia regions of Finland. 

Read more: press release of THL