The original plan called for poultry to be kept indoors during the main spring migration period, from mid-March to the end of May. A Ministry working group now says that this will be a requirement at the beginning of March.
These measures won't cause a lot of havoc since most birds are not kept outdoors during winter, with the exception of some ostriches and pheasants.
The bigger threat, say authorities, are the wild migratory birds themselves. Bird watchers and other nature enthusiasts are being urged to keep a watchful eye for dead birds but to avoid touching them at all costs.
On Wednesday Germany confirmed that two swans found on a beach on the Baltic Sea died of the deadly H5N1 virus. Swans are among the first migratory birds to reach Finland in the spring.
Some Nordic countries, such as Norway and Denmark, immediately ordered all domestic poultry to be kept inside, while Sweden is restricting the movement of poultry.
