The Finnish authorities have taken the drastic decision to close all mink and fox farms and kill tens of thousands of animals because of the bird flu outbreak.
Finland has been dealing with a serious situation for several weeks after the bird flu variant H5N1 was detected on several farms.
The contamination is reportedly caused by seagulls that have come into contact with the feed of the minks and foxes. This has led to questions about environmental hygiene on Finnish livestock farms, which may contribute to the spread of the virus.
By the end of July, bird flu had been found on 20 fur farms, while samples from a further four farms are currently being analysed, the food authority said. Finland is the largest producer of fox fur in Europe and the second largest in the world. About two million foxes are raised and killed every year, according to figures from the Finnish Fur Breeders' Association (FIFUR).
In response to the situation, authorities have allowed Finnish hunters to shoot more birds in the vicinity of hundreds of cattle farms. This is intended to minimize the risk of further spread of the bird flu virus.
The bird flu outbreak on mink and fox farms has also raised concerns among virologists. The situation is considered alarming in Finland and could pose a significant threat to public health, virologists fear.
Compared to other European countries, such as Denmark and the Netherlands, which decided two years ago to completely shut down mink farms over fears of the spread of the coronavirus, Finland has taken a different approach. Despite the recent bird flu outbreak, Finland has chosen to maintain the fur industry.
Multiple cases of mammals infected with bird flu have recently been reported in several countries. In December, a cat in France became infected, in Spain the variant was found in minks and in the United States three grizzly bears contracted bird flu.
In England, the disease has been diagnosed in foxes and seals in recent months. Mammals also became infected in the Netherlands. In January, a bird flu of the H5N1 type was diagnosed in a fox in North Brabant, and a polecat, a badger and an otter were previously infected in the Netherlands.