Flutrop CIRAD Avian Influenza

An epidemiological survey of the influenza virus in wild birds has been conducted in Romania in October 2006 in the Danube delta, in the framework of the Technical Cooperation Programmes (TCP) of FAO.

The Danube Delta forms the most extensive wetland in Europe after the Volga delta. This is one of Europe's most important sites for breeding, passage and wintering waterbirds, particularly wintering Anatidae. The site regularly holds more than 20,000 waterbirds breeding, on passage and in winter.

In winter 2005-2006 the Danube Delta area faced several outbreaks of HPAI H5N1 in both domestic and wild birds.

FAO Technical Cooperation Programmes entitled “Emergency assistance for early detection and prevention of avian influenza in the Eastern Europe and Caucasus regions” (TCP/RAB/3006).