The move comes after a series of outbreaks of the disease have been reported in Europe in past weeks. Such outbreaks have in the past led to major disruptions and slaughtering programmes in Europe’s poultry industry,
Bird flu cases have appeared in the four central European countries of Slovakia, Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic since the end of last year. A case of H5N8 bird flu was confirmed in a wild bird in the neighbouring country of Germany in late January. The virus, which is highly infectious, is thought to have originated in Russia.
A red alert is the highest level of alert, issued when there is a considerable danger of an animal disease occurring in Switzerland.
Higher risk
The Food Safety and Veterinary Office said in its Radar BulletinExternal link for January, published online on Thursday, there was a higher risk for avian flu being transmitted to birds in Switzerland due to winter migratory birds. It recommended checking and if necessary improving farm hygiene and biosafety measures.
Officials said that intensive trade relations in the European poultry sector meant that the virus could spread further. It called on the public to be alert and to report ill or dead wild birds to the local wildlife authorities. It is important for tests to be carried out.
The last time extra measures were needed to protect against avian flu was in late 2016 after cases were found in wild birds. They lasted four months. The last confirmed case of bird flu in Switzerland was at the end of December 2017
More
More
Bird flu measures tightened across Switzerland
This content was published on
From Wednesday, all feed and water for poultry will have to be kept inside to prevent any possibility of wild birds coming into contact with farmed birds, the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary OfficeExternal link said on Tuesday. If farmers can’t comply with this, they will have to keep all poultry in closed stalls or cages.…
Pilots’ union seeks to end deal with SWISS over working conditions
This content was published on
The Aeropers pilots’ union is expected to end its collective labour agreement with SWISS, as it pushes for better working conditions for its members.
Drugs often approved for wider use than tested, says Swiss study
This content was published on
A study by the University of Zurich, ETH Zurich and Yale and Harvard universities found that many medicines are approved for groups not tested in trials.
This content was published on
Over the four days, around 98,000 people – including volunteers – made their way up Bern’s local mountain for the 42nd edition of the festival.
Foreign residents in Moutier gain voting rights before town joins canton Jura
This content was published on
Foreign nationals living in Moutier will be able to vote in local and cantonal elections this year, even before the town joins the canton of Jura in 2026.
This content was published on
By 8am on Saturday, an 11-kilometre queue had formed at the Gotthard tunnel’s northern entrance, with drivers facing nearly two hours of delays.
Plant-based meat market in Switzerland set to grow to CHF361 million by 2030
This content was published on
Switzerland’s market for plant-based meat alternatives has a potential value of around CHF 242 million this year, though it remains a niche market.
This content was published on
The army is looking for a modern solution for its decommissioned fortress mortar bunkers, with plans to turn them into hardened defence hubs.
This content was published on
Spain ended Switzerland’s run in the Women’s Euros on Friday, but fans in Bern made history with the largest supporters’ march in Women’s Euros history.
This content was published on
Solar energy pioneer Raphaël Domjan and his team continued preparations for the altitude record attempt at 10,000 metres with the SolarStratos solar aircraft.
This content was published on
Cattle in the canton of Geneva and in the neighbouring region of Terre Sainte in the canton of Vaud are being vaccinated against the contagious viral skin nodule disease. The first cases of the animal disease were reported at the end of June in France, just outside Geneva.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Bird flu cases detected around Lake Geneva
This content was published on
On Saturday, the Swiss Federal Office of Food Safety and Veterinary Affairs confirmed that a dead Tufted Duck and a Laughing Gull found near the port of the city of Lausanne have tested positive for bird flu. Like the cases in Lake Constance, the two birds were found to harbour the H5N8 strain of the…
This content was published on
Final test results on the tufted ducks are still pending, but the federal office said studies carried out pointed to a H5N8 subtype of the virusExternal link. Wild migrating birds can transmit bird flu to farmed poultry. Containment measures are being coordinated by the Swiss, Austrian and German authorities as the lake borders all three…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.