After several detections of bird flu in other parts of Austria and a first case in Tyrol, the risk of poultry becoming ill is now also increasing in this country. So far only mandatory precautions apply, but if the danger continues to increase, mandatory storage can be expected.
Parts of Upper and Lower Austria, Carinthia and Burgenland have so far been declared “areas with a greatly increased risk of bird flu”. Bird flu has been detected in several cases there. While poultry in these areas must remain indoors, there is currently an “increased risk of bird flu” in Tyrol.
But here, as in the rest of Austria, the risk of the virus being transmitted from the wild bird population to domestic poultry is increasing. That is why the National Veterinary Directorate reminded poultry farmers on Tuesday of the precautionary measures that already apply.
Dead crane in the Oberland transmitted the virus
So far, the virus has only been found in Tyrol in a crane found dead in Tarrenz (Imst district). That was mid-November. But: “If the evidence continues to mount, it can be assumed that the traffic light in Tyrol will also change from orange to red and that the communities in the Inntal furrow from Ebbs to Telfs and the Achensee region will be classified as areas with a strong increased risk of bird flu,” explains Tyrol’s veterinary director Josef Kössler.
Then a stable requirement should be imposed. Due to the low temperatures, it is already advisable to keep poultry in a stable or under a shelter.
Harmless to humans, second outbreak this year
Bird flu or bird flu is a feverish viral disease of birds that is harmless to humans. It also cannot be transmitted through food.
In early 2023 there was an outbreak in Tyrol and Austria. At the time, several birds became infected in a zoo in the lowlands, and three more infected wild birds were later found. At the end of January, the stable requirement was imposed along the Inntal furrow from Kufstein to Telfs and in the Achensee region, which was lifted again after about three months. This successfully prevented poultry flocks from becoming infected.
Report dead animals to the authorities
The population is also asked to be vigilant: Anyone who finds wild waterfowl or birds of prey dead must immediately report this to the responsible district administration, with the exception of songbirds.
Source: Krone
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