Avian flu H5N8 No relaxation of the stable obligation

Avian influenza H5N8: No relaxation of the stable obligation

02/02/2015

The poultry-stable obligation to protect against bird flu in Thuringia remains. The authorities currently see no reason to relax the measure. In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern there had been a few days ago a new bird flu case.

No easing of poultry-stable duty
According to a report by the German Press Agency, the health authorities in Thuringia see no reason for easing the poultry barn obligation to protect against bird flu for the time being. As the spokesman for the Ministry of Health, Matthias Hinze, told the dpa, there have been no new evidence of the particularly contagious virus H5N8 type. This would have revealed studies of other animals. However, the risk of this virus being infiltrated by wild birds into poultry houses is still considered high.

New bird flu case in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
The fact that this risk persists was also evident in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Only a few days ago, a new bird flu case was detected in a Duck, also with the H5N8 pathogen. This subtype, formerly circulating only in East Asia, has appeared in several European countries in recent months. It is unknown whether the pathogen came to Europe via wild birds or the feed and poultry trade. So far, the virus has not been identified in humans. Another type of virus - H7N9 - already. H7N9 is currently rampant in parts of China and has already led to deaths. Because bird flu symptoms are similar to flu symptoms, infections are often not recognized. Affected persons may experience fever, cough, sore throat, diarrhea or abdominal pain.

Stall duty for over two months
For a total of 40 risk areas in Thuringia the stable obligation applies since the end of November. The pathogen was detected at the beginning of January in a mallard that was shot at the Aulebener ponds (Nordhausen district). Subsequently, 52 chickens were examined within a radius of one kilometer around the shooting site and 30 samples from wild birds. Particularly regions where migratory birds rest or hibernate are affected by the need for stable housing for chickens, ducks and geese. In these regions, wild birds are also targeted to be examined for the virus. A total of 50 samples were examined in Thuringia since the beginning of the year. (Ad)