Bird flu is spreading: 400,000 animals die in Thuringia!

Bird flu is spreading: 400,000 animals die in Thuringia!

There is a worrying silence in the fields in Thuringia as avian influenza, also known as bird flu, continues to spread. Around 400,000 animals, including chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys, have already been killed this year to curb transmission of the disease, reports said Thuringia24. Commercial poultry farms in northeastern Germany are particularly hard hit, where almost 150,000 laying hens were killed in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The numbers are also alarming in Brandenburg: In the Märkisch-Oderland district, another 130,000 animals are currently facing slaughter.

The pressure from the H5N1 virus has increased sharply in recent years. There has been a mass death of wild birds, such as in Linumer Teichland, where 65 cases of the dangerous virus were detected. The President of the Friedrich Loeffler Institute, Prof. Christa Kühn, warns: “The situation is dynamic and the worst could still be ahead.” The spread of the virus is increased by bird migration in autumn, as infected wild birds can easily transmit the pathogen to domestic poultry.

Containment measures

In order to counteract further spread, in many regions of Thuringia, such as the Gotha district, poultry must be kept in stables. The aim is to reduce contact between domestic poultry and potentially infected wild birds. Loud rbb24 Although the risk to the public is low, people who have direct contact with affected animals should wear protective clothing to prevent possible infections.

The current situation is cause for concern. The owners of the animals receive compensation for the culled animals, but this currently amounts to a maximum of 50 euros per animal. Federal Agriculture Minister Alois Rainer is now calling for an increase of up to 110 euros in order to better support the affected companies. In recent years, outbreaks of bird flu have increased sharply in Germany and it now affects 37 European countries.

A look into the future

Recently it has been shown that climate change is affecting the migratory behavior of birds and thus contributing to the spread of infectious diseases. Wild birds such as ducks and geese can carry the H5N1 virus without becoming ill themselves, increasing the challenges for poultry farmers. Therefore, it is important that poultry farmers take preventive measures to protect their animals and limit the spread of the disease. But human health also remains an issue, so precautionary measures remain essential.

The situation remains tense and how the situation will develop remains to be seen. It is important to take appropriate safeguards to address this worrying trend.