All measures are being taken to prevent the spread of avian influenza virus which has been confirmed in Koprivnica-Krizevci County, Agriculture Minister Marija Vuckovic said on Thursday, underscoring that this is a virus subtype for which there is no confirmation that it can be transferred to humans.

After the cabinet meeting on Thursday, Vuckovic said that measures were being taken and that the EU member states would be informed and a national task force would be formed.

This is a sub-type virus for which until now there has not been one case of it being transferred to humans.

“However, we are approaching that issue seriously and responsibly. As soon as initial suspicion arose we banned the transport and transfer of animals. All farms in the nearby and broader area are being registered,” said Vuckovic.

Asked where the virus came from, she said that the ministry has been informing the public for days now of the possibility of the spread of bird flu and particularly this type – H5N8, which is mostly spread by migratory birds all over Europe.

Before it appeared in Croatia it was confirmed in 13 EU member states with poultry farms or and in seven countries with bird wildlife, she said.

The minister recalled that a few days ago a directive entered into force regulating measures to prevent the emergence and spread of avian influenza in Croatia which defined minimum bio-safety measures that obliged poultry farmers.

The Agriculture Ministry has informed that H5N8 bird flu was detected in Koprivnica-Krizevci County, adding that further laboratory tests are underway to determine whether the virus belongs to a high or low pathogenic group.