Skopje, 20 October 2024 (MIA) -- Epidemiologists from the Public Health Institute and from the Center for Public Health have interviewed Skopje Zoo staff following the confirmation of an H5N1 bird flu case at the zoo.

Out of the 15 employees who were available for an epidemiologist interview, four will be placed under official health watch as of Monday.

One employee who reported having fever and diarrhea will be tested for bird flu, and efforts would be made to contact the 16th employee on their list as soon as possible, PHI director Marija Andonova said Sunday.

According to Andonova, the four employees who will be under health watch will not have to isolate or be quarantined.

"They will be medically monitored over the next two weeks for any potential symptoms of bird flu, which would need to be confirmed later. They will be contacted daily by PHI epidemiologists who will monitor their health," she said.

The employee's symptoms of fever and diarrhea on Oct. 18 did not necessarily point to a diagnosis of bird flu, Andonova said. The testing for the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus was being done at the recommendation of epidemiologists and microbiologists, she added.

Andonova said there was no danger to any Skopje Zoo visitors unless they had had direct contact with any infected birds.

The H5N1 bird flu infection was first detected in a goose that died in the zoo's pond on Oct. 14.

Samples were taken from the animal on suspicions of deadly avian disease, and on Oct. 15, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine lab performed tests. On Oct. 18, the test results confirmed the presence of the H5N1 virus.

On Oct. 19, Food and Veterinary Agency inspectors carried out an inspection of the zoo, assisted by police, and ordered measures under the Law on Veterinary Health and official guidelines for avian influenza control.

The measures included imposing a visitor ban; killing and safely disposing of birds; collecting samples for laboratory testing; disinfecting the area; and increasing biosecurity protocols, the FVA said.

"The following types of birds were humanely killed and harmlessly disposed of: 24 ducks, 6 geese, 5 chickens, and one jackdaw," the FVA said. 

In line with FVA orders, the Skopje Zoo will be closed to visitors over the next 21 days. mr/