Cuba reports presence of bird flu

The National Center for Animal Health (Cenasa), attached to the Cuban Ministry of Agriculture (MINAGRI) on Tuesday reported the presence of bird flu in wild birds in the country's capital.

According to an official press release published on Tuesday, that body reported to the World Organization for Animal Health the detection of the virus in wild birds in the Havana Zoological Garden, in Plaza de la Revolucion municipality.

Cenasa General Director Cristobal Arredondo added that the corresponding sanitary measures for containment have already been taken, including quarantine of the place and temporary closure of the Zoological Garden until the outbreak is controlled.

In addition, he recommended immediately notifying the local official veterinary service of any mortality of farmed or wild birds.

The evolution of this event will be reported systematically, he concluded.

Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is an infectious disease that mainly affects birds, but also humans, and it is caused by a virus from the Orthomyxoviridae family.