After a case of bird flu – 47,000 Styrian chickens must be quarantined

“It is currently difficult to say how the chickens, geese and ducks became infected as this is still under investigation,” said Veterinary State Director Peter Wagner. In previous years, dead wild birds were always the first to be found, but this year was not the case. Because numerous animals died in a hobby shop, the official veterinarian was informed on Monday. The samples from AGES (Agency for Health and Food Safety) then detected the H5N1 virus.

Mainly domestic and water birds
In general, domestic and waterfowl and birds of prey are very susceptible; direct contact with sick animals (usually waterfowl) or their droppings can lead to infection. Infected wild birds can also be involved here. Wagner: “Now the bird migration begins.” Because there have also been outbreaks in our neighboring countries.

250 animals had to be killed
In any case, the affected farm was closed and 282 poultry were killed. At 144 farms in the immediate vicinity and at 560 farms within a radius of ten kilometers in 15 communities, 47,000 animals are now in quarantine. Wagner: “Contact with wild birds should be avoided, there are stricter safety measures.” There is also a movement ban, which means that the animals may not be transported to another farm: “Nothing can happen without permission.”

All companies in the protection zone are checked, in the surveillance zone there are random checks. If another case arises, the poultry there should also be killed. Measures can be canceled at the earliest 21 or 30 days after cleaning.

“harmless to humans”
“But we humans don’t have to be afraid,” Wagner says. In Spain, virus antibodies were found last year in an affected animal owner, but he was not sick. The animals themselves can be protected against the virus by using protected feeding stations.