Newsroom
A second dead bird found at Athalassa lake is being tested for H5N1 bird flu, days after Cyprus confirmed its first case of the highly infectious strain in a goose from the same area.
Veterinary Services officer Dimitris Epaminondas told the Cyprus News Agency on Wednesday that the latest bird was discovered during an inspection of the park on Tuesday. Tests are now underway to establish whether it was also carrying the virus.
For now, it remains only a possible second case.
The first infected bird was spotted by a visitor last week after it appeared unwell near the lake. The Hunting Fund was notified, and the goose was taken to a wildlife care facility, where it died the following day.
Laboratory testing later confirmed that it had the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain, prompting authorities to activate animal-health protocols and inspect the surrounding area.
No other birds showing symptoms were found during those visits, apart from the second dead bird now being examined.
Athalassa is one of Nicosia’s most popular green spaces, regularly used by families, walkers, cyclists, and dog owners. Authorities are therefore recommending that people avoid the park until around Monday or Tuesday, and, above all, do not approach, touch, or feed its birds.
The advice is precautionary. It does not mean the virus is spreading among people.
Officials from the Hunting Fund and the member of the public who came into contact with the infected goose are undergoing preventive monitoring and regular PCR tests. No one has tested positive so far.
H5N1 primarily affects birds, although people can become infected in rare cases, generally after close or prolonged exposure to infected animals or contaminated environments. Health authorities are monitoring those involved because of that possibility, not because a human infection has been identified in Cyprus.
The arrival of the virus was not unexpected. The strain has circulated widely among wild birds in Europe, and Cyprus lies on important migratory routes.
The larger concern for the Veterinary Services is keeping it out of commercial poultry farms. Farmers have been instructed to tighten biosecurity, prevent contact between wild and farmed birds, and ensure workers do not accidentally carry the virus into poultry units on their clothes, footwear, or equipment.
An outbreak on a commercial farm could require infected birds to be culled, making early prevention particularly important.
Authorities have stressed that there is no reason for consumers to avoid poultry or other animal products because of the Athalassa case.
