Flutrop CIRAD Avian Influenza

An epidemiological survey of the influenza virus in wild birds has been conducted in Ukraine in April and October 2006 in the Eastern Sivash, in the coastal zone of the Black Sea and Sea of Azov (CrimeanPeninsula).

Eastern Sivash is of extreme significance for waterbirds, especially for waders, one of the most numerous groups of water birds in the Eastern Sivash. It is a major staging and moulting area for arctic and boreal species, which use the Mediterranean Flyway both in autumn and spring. It connects breeding grounds of these species with their winter quarters in the Mediterranean, Western and Sub-Saharan Africa. Waterbirds passing Eastern Sivash in spring subsequently stop over in the Caspian region and extensive wetlands of the South of the Western Siberia before they reach their breeding grounds.

It is also an important wintering area for some species (White-fronted Goose, some ducks).

In winter 2005-2006 the area faced outbreaks of HPAI (a total of 34 outbreaks of H5N1 in backyard poultry have been recorded).

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).