Three cases of bird flu confirmed in the Prignitz district! Protective measures necessary!

Three cases of bird flu confirmed in the Prignitz district! Protective measures necessary!

Bird flu is causing a stir in the Prignitz district. How Northern Courier reported, three confirmed cases were detected in wild birds. The confirmation was provided by the Friedrich Loeffler Institute. A comprehensive general animal disease decree will come into force from Wednesday.

For poultry farmers, this specifically means: chickens, turkeys, guinea fowls, partridges, pheasants, ratites, quails, ducks and geese must now be kept in closed stables or under special protective devices. These guards must have a tight cover and side barriers to prevent entry by wild birds.

Regulations and obligations for animal owners

There are strict requirements from the responsible authorities. Owners of poultry must register their flock with the Veterinary Supervision and Consumer Protection Department. Exceptions to the stopping regulations are only permitted with written approval. In addition, hunting of game birds is prohibited to prevent the disease from spreading further.

Bird flu is caused by the H5N1 virus, which poses a particular threat to chickens and is often fatal. How rbb24 reports, the danger is compounded by the increasing aggressiveness and contagiousness of the virus, which has led to record numbers of birds dying in recent years. The situation is particularly dangerous during the autumn months, as the virus is increasingly spread during bird migration.

Rules of conduct when dealing with wild birds

It is also important that dead birds should under no circumstances be touched. Instead, these should be reported immediately with a precise description of the location where they were found. Contact with sick animals should be avoided if possible, and the Brandenburg State Office for the Environment recommends avoiding resting areas for wild birds. This is particularly true for poultry farmers who need to protect their animals from the virus.

The current bird flu epidemic is spreading through several federal states, starting in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Brandenburg. 150,000 animals have already had to be killed due to outbreaks on large farms. Even if the virus is considered to be less dangerous for humans, poultry products should always be cooked well.

Overall, the situation is serious: according to estimates, around 2,000 cranes have already died of avian influenza in Germany. Not only do wild bird populations suffer, the poultry industry is also severely affected, as affected companies are not allowed to sell any products. However, owners receive compensation for the animals killed, which is at least a small ray of hope in the current situation.

While we keep a close eye on developments, one can only hope that this situation can soon be brought under control. Bird flu is a serious problem that not only affects agriculture, but also endangers our native nature.