Avian influenza is spreading: Brandenburg on alert!

Avian influenza is spreading: Brandenburg on alert!

Avian influenza has broken out again in Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, and the situation requires quick action on the part of poultry farmers. RBB24 reports confirmed cases of a greylag goose in Brandenburg an der Havel. Further infections in the wild bird population are likely, which raises alarm bells.

Several dead cranes were discovered in the Ostprignitz-Ruppin district and their laboratory tests are still pending. There are currently over 100,000 cranes migrating through Germany, which significantly increases the risk of the bird flu virus being introduced into poultry populations. The Ministry of Agriculture is urgently appealing to animal owners, especially those with free-range poultry, to take increased precautionary measures.

Measures for poultry farmers

With the virus, which has been occurring in Germany for years, understanding safe husbandry practices is more important than ever. Owners are asked to avoid contact with wild birds and to ensure that food, litter and water are not accessible to wild birds. How star highlights, all poultry flocks in affected zones must be kept in closed houses or under protective nets for at least 30 days. A ban on the movement of chickens, ducks and geese was also imposed - transport is only permitted with an official exemption.

The strict requirements also include daily disinfection of entrances and exits to the farms and the requirement to wear protective clothing in the stable. Anyone who violates these regulations must expect fines of up to 30,000 euros. “Having a good hand” is not only required in an economic sense, but also in compliance with hygiene regulations, which have now become an indispensable basis for poultry farming.

Protection measures and information

The Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food issues well-known guidelines to effectively contain the spread of avian influenza. All poultry keepers, including geese and ducks, are required to report their operations to the relevant authorities. Changes in the animal population must be reported immediately.

Transparent documentation of entries and exits as well as veterinary examinations are required in order to be able to react in the event of an outbreak. “There is something going on” – especially when animals are lost, owners should act immediately and request a veterinary examination to test for the influenza A virus.

Citizens are also asked not to touch dead waterfowl or birds of prey themselves, but to report them to the veterinary office. Compliance with these requirements is of the utmost importance in order to protect your own health and that of poultry farming businesses.

In view of the current developments and the information from Thuringia, it is crucial that the exchange between animal owners and specialist authorities functions smoothly. This is the only way to minimize the risk of an avian influenza epidemic and ensure that the poultry industry remains stable.