An unprecedented outbreak of bird flu in the Upper Galilee has so far resulted in the deaths of more than 2,000 cranes; Their corpses are now scattered throughout the Hula Valley. The H5N1 flu strain, which the wild birds brought with them from the eruption centers in Europe, is considered particularly violent and deadly. The mortality rate from it among animals exceeds 50 percent, and it can also infect humans who come in direct contact with sick birds.
Raya Soraki, acting director general of the Nature and Parks Authority, held a special tour with professionals in the Hula Valley area yesterday. “It is now estimated that one-fifth of the crane population in Israel has been affected so far, and it is expected that we will reach about 25-30 tons of crane carcasses,” she said. The birds transmit the disease through close contact or through contact with faeces. The large water reservoir in the Hula Reed, a resting place for half a billion migratory winged creatures, could endanger them. The health authorities are still debating how to remove the cranes’ carcasses from the water and reduce the infections.
The Nature and Parks Authority has for the time being decided not to stop the operation of the crane feeding station in Agmon, in the hope that the migratory winged birds from Europe will not look for food sources in other water reservoirs and create new hotspots. About 30,000 cranes are now wintering in the valley. The veterinary services call on those who come across sick or injured wild birds not to approach them, and to report to the local veterinary services or to the RTG center.
In recent days, RTG inspectors have begun scanning and monitoring additional water sources throughout the north to see if there is a spread of the disease there as well. Sick cranes have also been observed in the Golan Heights area and other places.
The bird flu of this breed started in Europe a few months ago, and so far about a thousand outbreaks of outbreaks are known on the continent. Now, with the cooling in Europe, the birds are migrating to the brown lands and bringing with them the virus. The main population affected by it are cranes, and poultry in agricultural coops that live in flocks and densities. “It is a violent virus that spreads rapidly and can cause rapid mortality,” says Dr. Nir Goshen, director of veterinary services. “It is not clear what risk it poses to humans. “Several cases of infection and mortality have been documented, but only in African and South Asian countries where the medical systems are less good than in Israel.”
Dr. Goshen seeks to refine the regular guidelines for the public, which are now especially important to adhere to: “Those who need chicken, meat or egg products – should cook, bake or fry the products. Do not eat liquid egg yolk and the like. This will ensure that all potential bacteria or viruses are destroyed. “Although there is no evidence that the virus can be transmitted through food, we and the whole world are taking extra care and preventing the arrival of infected eggs and meat from chicken coops.”
In areas of outbreak it is mandatory to monitor pets so that they do not approach carcasses. To date there is no evidence of infectious capabilities of this strain of influenza between humans, only poultry and humans. According to Prof. Ruth Hirschberg, a microbiologist from the Technion’s Faculty of Medicine, “the fear is that this virus could undergo changes and learn how to pass between humans. Every year, people who work in the agricultural industry or who were close to water reservoirs infect it around the world.”
In about 60 chicken coops in Moshav Margaliot, about a quarter of a million laying hens exposed to the virus were killed, apparently as a result of contact with the droppings of an infected winged animal. An investigation by the Ministry of Agriculture revealed that the poultry breeders in the moshav refrained from reporting in real time an increasing mortality of poultry, and this caused the spread of the disease. In one of the chicken coops, only 70 laying hens remained out of about 2,000. About five thousand infected chickens were killed in five chicken coops in the Neot Golan moshav.
Ministry of Agriculture workers are making great efforts to isolate the infected chicken coops. The ministry explains that in addition to caring for farm animals, it is necessary to treat the carcasses of wild birds, especially cranes, in the Hula reedbed and in the nearby reserve. For the benefit of the operation, the Ministry of Defense, the National Security Council, the Nature and Parks Authority and the JNF were recruited.
The forces operating on the issue are being operated by an HFK set up by the Ministry of Agriculture in the arena.