Bird flu stops tourism in Linum – businesses suffer massively!

Bird flu stops tourism in Linum – businesses suffer massively!

In the tranquil community of Linum, tourism is clearly feeling the effects of the current bird flu. This year turned out to be anything but successful for crane season. At the end of autumn, the balance sheet remains sobering: Georg Rixmann, a farmer and entrepreneur, reports that he has seen sales losses of up to 80 percent. “Normally in the fall we attract a lot of nature lovers who admire the spectacle of bird migration,” says Rixmann, whose farm is suffering from a lack of visitors due to concerns about bird flu. At least he uses the time he has gained creatively: “I have more time to cook jam,” reports Sabine Schwalm from “Rixmanns Hof”, who can also welcome fewer guests. Warmth is particularly important for the people here, emphasizes Rixmann and announces that it will remain open to visitors on weekends in November. MAZ Online reported.

Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is currently spreading in Germany and throughout Europe. The cranes, which come to the region through bird migration, are particularly affected. As already reported by ZDF, thousands of cranes have died in the last few days. In Baden-Württemberg, for example, 15,000 animals had to be killed in a poultry farm. The Friedrich Loeffler Institute has raised the risk of outbreaks in poultry farms to “high,” and the deaths of wild birds such as cranes that have already been identified are worrying many locals. The concern is noticeable in Linum, as Christine Hüttig, the owner of the “Storchenklause”, notes: “There are fewer tourists here, but many regular guests remain loyal to us,” she says. ZDF today notes that the animal disease is particularly widespread in the autumn season.

The consequences for the region

The high number of dead cranes in Brandenburg and other federal states is a deep reflection. The latest estimates show that over 400,000 animals across Germany, including chickens and ducks, had to be killed this autumn. Thomas Berg from “Linumer Landhof” reports a loss of day tourists and inquiries from the surrounding area who are concerned about the accessibility of Linum. But the cider factory remains largely unaffected, and this year's fruit harvest recorded a positive result. A small ray of hope in the midst of this dreary situation. Deutschlandfunk highlights the need to urgently strengthen safety measures for poultry farms in line with the new guidelines in times of this situation.

The regional farm owners must therefore adhere to the strict guidelines in order to prevent infections and the introduction of the disease. Protection and surveillance zones are created and alternative security measures are essential. Rosi K. reports about a sick crane in her garden and observes that the number of cranes passing by is rapidly decreasing. The local NABU strongly recommends that citizens not have contact with sick or dead birds in order to avoid possible virus spread.

Despite the high risks posed by the more contagious H5N1 variant, the population is currently not considered to be in acute danger. However, it remains to be seen how the situation will develop. Those responsible are concerned as they closely monitor the situation and implement necessary monitoring measures.