Bird flu spreads heavily 30,000 chickens are culled because of avian influenza

Avian influenza also in factory farming: 30,000 chickens are killed
For the first time in North Germany, factory farming has been affected by the current bird flu epidemic. In a farm in Schleswig-Holstein, 30,000 chickens have to be killed. Federal Minister of Agriculture Christian Schmidt has called a crisis team.

No transmission of the detected virus subtype to humans is known
The recurrence of bird flu in Germany worries many citizens. Meanwhile, the avian influenza has been found for the first time in a factory with factory farming. Transmission of the virus subtype H5N8 to humans has not been reported. However, other viruses, such as H7N9, have been shown to be transmissible to humans and can cause typical bird flu symptoms, such as fever, cough and sore throat.

The bird flu continues to spread. In Schleswig-Holstein now 30,000 chickens of factory farming must be killed. In some regions, a stable obligation to be imposed. (Image: fotohansel / fotolia.com)

Avian influenza in large-scale operation
The bird flu is spreading further, in northern Germany is now a major concern. As is clear from a press release of the state government of Schleswig-Holstein, avian influenza has been officially established in a poultry production in the district of Schleswig-Flensburg. The national reference laboratory, the Friedrich-Löffler-Institut (FLI), therefore detected pathogens of the subtype H5N8.

In Schleswig-Holstein, for the first time, the poultry virus has been detected in closed livestock. "The farm is a chicken keeping facility with around 30,000 animals. All animals must now be killed according to the avian influenza regulation, "it says in the message.

A big challenge for everyone
"This is a new level in the currently rampant avian influenza reached. She is highly aggressive. The situation is worrying and for all - livestock farmers, authorities and laboratories - a great challenge, "said Schleswig-Holstein Minister of Agriculture Robert Habeck (Green).

According to the information, the FLI will send a team of epidemiologists to clarify the cause of the introduction to Schleswig-Holstein.

Nationwide uniform approach
Federal Minister of Agriculture Christian Schmidt has called in view of the spread of bird flu, the Central Crisis Staff Animal Diseases. "Current developments require faster, more efficient coordination and decisions. The aim is to bundle the measures for containment and control and to take all necessary measures to prevent them from spreading further, "said Schmidt.

At the meetings, a nationwide uniform, risk-based approach was adopted to protect against avian influenza. According to the ministry, a poultry housing requirement is to be imposed everywhere where the likelihood of an entry of the highly infectious H5N8 variant is high. These are in particular wetlands, resting areas of migratory and wild birds, but also areas with a high regional density of poultry farms. (Ad)