Red alert: Bird flu is spreading among cranes in Oberspreewald!

Red alert: Bird flu is spreading among cranes in Oberspreewald!

Bird flu has arrived in Oberspreewald-Lausitz - and not just on paper. Two cranes found in Lauchhammer and Calau at the end of October are at the center of this current outbreak. The positive tests were officially confirmed by the Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI), and thus the first cases in wild birds in this district have been documented the time reported.

The situation has already led to drastic measures: from October 7th, strict safety precautions will apply to poultry farmers in the region. Accordingly, all poultry animals must be brought into closed stables to protect them from possible infection. This is intended to minimize contact between domestic and wild birds. The recommendations also state that hunting of ducks and wild geese should be suspended for the time being, affecting many hunters in the region.

Drastic consequences for poultry farming

Keepers affected by bird flu are obliged to adhere to strict hygiene rules and to immediately report any new arrival or release of poultry. This is important because in Brandenburg there have already been outbreaks in twelve livestock farms, and the number of birds killed is already over 170,000, as of November 5th. Over 2,000 dead cranes were also spotted and collected in the region.

Also important to know: Under no circumstances should dead birds be touched without protective measures. Any discoveries must be reported to the veterinary office immediately. These strict regulations are part of the Avian Influenza Ordinance, which clearly regulates the fight against bird flu in Germany. The regulation, announced back in 2018, aims to prevent the spread of the disease and protect the health of animals and possibly people.

Record keeping obligations for owners

The obligations for poultry farmers are specific: They must register their business with the responsible authority and keep records of arrivals and departures of poultry. This includes information such as name, address, number of animals and the respective type of use. Anyone who works with poultry commercially must wear special protective clothing and be cleaned or disposed of after each use.

The increase in infections in wild birds observed by the FLI indicates a worrying development that poses major challenges for poultry farming in the region. In this context, it becomes clear how important it is to take existing hygiene regulations seriously in order to prevent a further outbreak of the disease.

Those interested can find information about further measures and details on the ministry’s official website: BMLEH.