HELSINKI, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Finland has deployed measures to protect fur animals from avian flu transmitted from wild birds.

       The country's Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry issued a decree on Monday that requires fur farms to take measures to avoid contact between fur animals and birds, as well as other harmful animals and their excrement.

       Under the decree, the openings of shelters, halls and other animal holding facilities in fur farms must be closed with a net to stop birds from the facilities. The mesh size of these nets may not exceed 25 x 25 millimeters.

       The legislation also stipulates measures to repel other harmful animals, and to ensure the safe distribution of feed and the protection of feedstocks.

       The decree entered into force on Monday and will apply from April 15, 2024, said the Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

       The legislation has been imposed due to the spread of the H5N1 subtype of the highly pathogenic bird flu virus, which caused concern in the summer of 2023. In September, the Finnish Food Authority ordered all animals to be culled at fur farms with avian influenza infections. According to the ministry, infections have so far been found at 71 fur farms in the country.