The cause of the seagull deaths that caused panic in Elazığ has been revealed. According to the initial evaluation of the samples taken, Newcastle disease virus (NDV) was detected in the birds, and it was reported that further tests are continuing.
The deaths of seagulls in Ağın district of Elazığ had worried the citizens. After dozens of seagulls were found dead at the water’s edge, teams from the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry took action. Samples were taken from dead or nearly dead seagulls from 10 different locations and examined. As a result of the first evaluation made by the institutes, it was determined that NDV was present in the birds, and it was reported that further examinations were continuing.
In the statement made by the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, “On 20.04.2024, it was reported that there were seagull deaths on the coast of the Hurşit Bird Forest in the Ağın district of Elazığ province and on the islet that is the breeding ground of the seagull birds in the region. Upon the notice, the necessary determinations were made by veterinarians working at the Ağır District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry on the same day, and samples of dead or nearly dead seagulls were taken from 10 different locations in the reported region and delivered to the Elazığ Veterinary Control Institute Directorate in a cold chain. “The analysis of the samples was started by the Institute Directorate on the same day.”
“As a result of the first evaluation, it was determined to be NDV”
In the statement, “Technical personnel from the Provincial Directorate, under the coordination of Elazığ Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, were assigned to the region where seagull deaths were reported, and technical teams carried out scanning and information work in the mentioned region. The dead seagulls in the region were collected by the teams of the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry through contact tracing teams within the region, and all risks were eliminated by taking all precautions within the framework of the regulation. As a result of the initial evaluation of the sample results by the relevant institutes, it was determined to be Newcastle disease (NDV), and further examinations are continuing. “The process is being followed meticulously.”
