Bird flu wave in Brandenburg: Ten new outbreaks confirmed!

Bird flu wave in Brandenburg: Ten new outbreaks confirmed!

Bird flu is once again causing alarm in Brandenburg. The dangerous H5N1 virus was detected in three other poultry farms. Loud Daily Mirror A total of ten cases have now been documented in kept birds. A population of geese with around 950 animals in the Uckermark district is particularly affected, where several dead animals have already been found.

Infected birds were also discovered in two small holdings in the Oder-Spree and Spree-Neiße districts. There were also losses in these hobby farms: 13 chickens in the Spree-Neiße district and 25 birds in the Oder-Spree district, including 20 chickens and 5 geese, died. The owners immediately informed the veterinary office.

Security measures take effect

In order to contain the spread of the virus, a protection zone was set up around the affected herd. In the case of small-scale holdings, which are also affected, no exclusion zones have been set up due to an official risk assessment. The virus is considered harmless to humans, but that does not mean that caution is necessary: ​​poultry meat and eggs should always be thoroughly heated to avoid health risks, such as rbb24 reported.

In Brandenburg, bird flu has already led to massive losses. Around 155,000 animals have so far had to be killed for precautionary measures. This is the most serious outbreak since 2016/2017. The highlight of the current situation is the over 2,200 dead cranes collected in the Linumer Teichland, a number that is expected to rise to 2,500. The crane migration now seems to be slowly subsiding.

The dangers of the H5N1 virus

This epidemic situation poses enormous challenges not only for animal husbandry. The H5N1 virus has proven to be particularly aggressive and contagious in recent years. The Brandenburg State Office for the Environment therefore advises avoiding resting areas for wild birds, as they often transmit the virus without showing any symptoms themselves. The outbreak itself began in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Brandenburg and was accompanied by a high number of wild birds dying.

Veterinary measures in the affected areas are determined, but the risk should not be underestimated. Species jumps to other mammals and the increasing effects of climate change could lead to the virus spreading further. While the strict measures are in place in Germany, the consumption of properly heated poultry meat remains safe and trade in products from unaffected companies is still permitted under certain conditions.

These alarming developments show how important it is to be aware and take necessary precautions when dealing with this disease. It remains to be seen how the situation will develop in the coming weeks.