Bird flu detected in Czechia after year-long absence

Avian influenza has appeared in the Czech Republic again after a year-long absence. The presence of the H5N8 virus, which is fatal to birds, was first confirmed on Thursday in two dead swans in the region of Písek in South Bohemia. Since then, veterinarians have detected an outbreak of the deadly virus at two poultry farms in the region. Speaking after the government’s emergency meeting on Friday, Agriculture Minister Miroslav Toman said more cases are to be expected in the coming days, since the virus has already been confirmed in a number other European states.