According to the Ministry, this is the first cases reported in the winter of 2017-2018. The strain of the disease is different from that which struck China last year, and poses a high threat of infection to humans.

"The risk to public health from avian influenza H5N8 is very low, and Agency quality standards of food products announced that the disease poses no risk to food", — stated in the Ministry statement. This clarifies that the virus is "very contagious" and "deadly" for the birds.

Authorities urged poultry farmers to register birds and observe measures of caution.

Photo: meatinfo.ru