Saxon poultry farm closed due to bird flu

Saxon poultry farm closed due to bird flu

06/30/2011

Bird flu has broken out on a poultry farm in Röhrsdorf, Saxony. The operation is closed, the approximately 1,500 geese, chickens and ducks are to be killed in the coming days to prevent the spread of the virus, reports the district veterinary office Chemnitz.

The bird flu outbreak on the poultry farm Schneider was a heavy blow to its owner. Although it is according to the Veterinary Office „a mild form“, which is most likely not contagious to humans. But to protect the adjacent poultry stocks, the complete stocking of around 1,500 geese, chickens and ducks must be culled, said the head of the Chemnitz Veterinary Office, Dr. med. Michael Kern. In addition, a restricted area of ​​one kilometer around the operation was laid.

Bird flu on a poultry farm in Saxony
According to the Chemnitz Veterinary Office, the outbreak of bird flu on the poultry farm in Röhrsdorf in Saxony required rapid intervention to protect the remaining poultry in the region. „We act fast and sustainably“ In order to prevent the spread of infections, veterinary office head Dr. Michael Kern. One of the authorities' immediate measures is the establishment of a restricted area within a radius of one kilometer around the affected poultry farm and the killing of around 1,500 geese, chickens and ducks. The carcasses must then be disposed of in the carcass disposal plant at Riesa. Core further. However, the risk of transmission of the proven influenza A virus subtype H7 to humans could most likely be ruled out, the expert emphasized. Asked about the route of infection, the veterinarian explained that the avian influenza virus was probably brought in with purchased young birds from the Vogtland, where the disease had recently broken out. In order to avoid a regional spread of the infections, in the coming days also all poultry attitudes within the current exclusion zone will be checked for a possible outbreak of avian influenza. Core. The farmer concerned, Albrecht Schneider, told the „Saxon newspaper“, that the bird flu outbreak on his farm for him „a serious economic blow“ be.

WHO warns of the outbreak of a bird flu pandemic
Since the first outbreak in 2006, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued Pandemic Warning Level 3 for bird flu. Thus, the WHO indicates that the outbreak of a pandemic is still to be expected, because the likelihood that the virus mutates into a pathogen that can be transmitted from animal to human or from human to human is relatively high. The production conditions in mass animal husbandry are particularly critical with regard to the transmission of the pathogens, since the viruses can be relatively quickly transferred to the entire population in the dense animals standing close to seal and so the culling of animals remains the only option to one continue to prevent spread, said the head of the Chemnitz Veterinary Office. In addition, according to the expert, the immune system of animals in factory farming is often significantly weakened, which further promotes an outbreak of bird flu. (Fp)

Picture: schemmi