Why Finland will cull more than 100,000 foxes

this Finnish Food Agency Ordered this Wednesday The sacrifice of all foxes and raccoon dogs of fur farm Confirmed country bird flu casesthe purpose is to prevent Viruses can mutate and Infect humans.

This measure will affect 109,000 foxes and 6,000 raccoon dogsjoin in the sacrifice of others 135,000 animals Has a precious skin decreed by decree Finnish authorities This summer, it’s mainly foxes and minks.

To date, cases of avian influenza have been detected 26

fence There are 400 fur farms in Finlandmost of which are located in Obotten District (Western part of the country).

The Food Agency said in a statement, find clues they have already happened Infections among farm mammals And not only between infected birds and mammala worrying sign that the virus is mutating.

“We’re not sure How widespread is the disease? and there are indications that it can transmit one animal to another.Additionally, worrisome mutations have been discovered on some farms Increase the adaptability of viruses to mammalsTuija Gadd, a researcher at the agency, told YLE public television.

According to the entity, the longer Viruses spread among mammalsthe greater the risk of the emergence of variants that can also infect humans.

“Flu season is coming human seasonality If viruses combine, they malignant mutationsGad said.

Worrying variants have been identified so far Promote virus spread There are six species in the mammalian genome isolated virus Animals from these fur farms, including foxes and mink and raccoon dog.

Finnish organizations stated Serving and EU reference laboratory In strain analysis virus found on these farms.

this World Health Organization (WHO) warned last July that mammal Because mink provided the virus Avian Influenza an ideal mutational environment, so it is possible strains capable of infecting humans.

The risks associated with minks are They have certain receptors In your airways, they can stick to Simultaneous infection with avian and human influenza viruses

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