The Chisinau authorities have declared a situation of emergency in connection with bird flu outbreaks.

Igor Crudu, head of the Chisinau Directorate within the National Food Safety Agency, said that outbreaks of H1N1 were detected in swan populations wintering in Moldova. To date, four outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been confirmed, including an outbreak in Chisinau Municipality, in particular near Lake Ghidighici in the suburban town of Vatra.

Among the restrictions imposed during the emergency is the prohibition for poultry owners
to let their waterfowls access public bodies of water. Other measures include cracking down on illegal street vending of food items and live animals and prohibiting exhibitions and fairs involving live animals, in particular poultry and pet birds.

A damage assessment commission will be created in case of outbreaks, both in the protection zone and in the surveillance zones.

All restrictions are to be lifted 90 days after the last detected case. Bird flu is a highly contagious infection. It can also be transmitted from animals to humans as well.