Several cases of bird flu in wild birds have been reported in Vienna and Lower Austria since the beginning of the year. The so-called subtype H5N1 is said to be highly pathogenic in birds. In the previous year, bird flu hit Europe harder than ever before.
The Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES) announced Wednesday afternoon that the virus is now expected to spread among the local wild bird population. That is why in some regions a stable requirement is now being introduced again for poultry farming.
Mainly chickens and turkeys affected
Bird flu (bird flu) is an acute, highly contagious, febrile viral disease in birds, AGES stated on the air. Chickens, turkeys and numerous wild bird species are highly susceptible to the virus. In Lower Austria, the districts of Melk and Gmünd are affected. The AGES stressed that no diseases have been identified in Europe following H5N1 infections in humans.
Stall duty is coming in the next few days
In those regions that have already been designated as “areas with an increased risk of bird flu”, poultry must be kept in closed – at least covered – stables from next week until further notice. This stable requirement applies to all farms and hobby businesses with 50 or more animals. A corresponding amendment to the Ministry of Health’s bird flu regulation will be issued in the coming days, AGES announced.
In the rest of Germany, poultry farmers are obliged to adhere to safety measures: direct and indirect contact between poultry and wild birds must be avoided at all costs, for example by feeding them in the house or not using surface water for watering. If there are unclear health problems in poultry farms, a veterinary examination should be carried out.
Wild water and raptor birds found dead must be reported to the local responsible district administration (official veterinarian). The Ministry of Health provides a map with the affected regions and detailed information about the measures here.
Source: Krone
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