In Ankkuri, Lahti, two dead gulls were found with the highly contagious H5N1 avian influenza. Other birds in the Ankkuri harbor area may also have the virus. People are advised not to touch dead or sick birds or their droppings, especially for children and pets. No reported cases for humans have been found, but the virus can spread if there is close contact with infected wild birds or poultry and their waste.
The bird flu rarely infects people, but it can cause mild respiratory infections or conjunctivitis.
If you suspect a bird flu infection, call the emergency helpline at 116 117 or your local healthcare center.
Instructions for reporting and disposal of dead birds
If you see a group of dead wild birds or individual dead bird of prey, you should report them to the Lahti veterinary inspector during office hours or the on-call municipal veterinarian outside of office hours. Individual dead gulls do not need to be reported.
- Lahti veterinary inspector: 044 416 4598 or 044 482 6974
- On-call municipal veterinarian, small animals: 0600 392 120
If you find a dead bird (other than a bird of prey) outside the Ankkuri harbor area, you can take it to the Salpakierto waste disposal site in Pilleri. Make sure to put the bird in a sealed plastic bag without touching it directly or soiling the bag’s outer surface. Use two pairs of protective gloves and consider wearing a respiratory mask. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water afterward.
Ongoing maintenance and disposal in the harbor area
Restaurants in the harbor have been asked to pay extra attention to keeping their outdoor spaces clean and removing bird droppings. The city’s maintenance services are working to properly dispose of the dead birds found in the harbor area as hazardous waste. Many dead birds have been collected in the past week, and collection efforts will continue.