Podgorica, (MINA) – After the bird flu was confirmed in domestic poultry in Montenegro, the presence of the avian influenza virus has also been confirmed in wild birds, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management announced.

The Ministry said that the carcass of a magpie was found in Kocani near Niksic, near the farm where the disease was previously confirmed in domestic poultry.

“Following a report from local residents, authorities from the Niksic veterinary clinic visited the site and, in accordance with the prescribed protective measures, collected the carcass of the magpie and delivered it to the Specialist Veterinary Laboratory in Podgorica for examination”, the press release states.

The Ministry of Agriculture said that the virus in wild birds had been first confirmed in Montenegro in dead pelicans in the Panceva oka reserve in the Skadar Lake National Park in 2022, after which there were no new cases until now.

They emphasized that wild birds are the main reservoir of this virus, and that biosecurity measures, which include preventing contact between domestic and wild birds, are of crucial importance for protecting domestic poultry.