Bird flu detected in wild birds in Helsinki

2026-01-26 - 10:50

Health and environmental officials have confirmed an outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza among wild birds in central Helsinki. The highly pathogenic virus has been identified in one mute swan and three Canada geese found in the Kallio area during January. The symptomatic swan was euthanised at Korkeasaari Wildlife Hospital after being found in Tokoinranta. The other birds were discovered dead near Eläintarhanlahti. The H5N1 strain, which causes high mortality in wild birds and poultry, has not caused any known infections in humans in Finland.