The participation of Evros Delta Management Body was signed to a project about the monitoring of Avian Influenza and the influence of its viral proteins on the innate immune response of birds. In this project other institutions from Germany, Belgium, Poland, France and Greece participate.

The actions of the project will include:

• The dissemination of avian influenza in the environment
• The survival of HPAI in different ecosystems
• The determination of possible transport speed of HPAI by infected wild birds

In the project, the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the Forest Research Institute also participate from Greece.

The actions that the Management Body has undertaken will be realized in the Evros Delta wetland. They will include the capture and sampling of wild ducks, the monitoring of swans that winter in Evros Delta, the ringing (including collars and placing satellite transmitters) of swans, etc. With the conclusion of the projects answers are expected to be given about the dissemination of avian influenza in wild birds and humans.

The project will last until December 2009.

For more information one can contact the Evros Delta Management Body in Traianoupolis, tel.: +30 25510 61000, e-mail: e.makrigianni@evros-delta.gr.