LJUBLJANA, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Slovenia has confirmed its first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) this year, detected in a mute swan, the country's Administration for Food Safety, Veterinary Service and Plant Protection (AFSVSPP) said on Thursday.
The authority urged poultry farmers and bird owners to monitor the health of their animals closely and to strictly implement biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
In recent weeks, cases of avian influenza have risen across Europe, affecting both wild birds and poultry populations.
The country reported its first case of H5N1 in February 2006. The virus has since reappeared sporadically, mainly among wild waterfowl. ■