Bird flu alarm in Brandenburg: 130,000 animals have to be killed!

Bird flu alarm in Brandenburg: 130,000 animals have to be killed!

Bird flu is currently spreading drastically in Germany and the effects are alarming. The measures are particularly drastic in the Märkisch-Oderland district, where around 130,000 animals have to be killed due to avian influenza. A spokeswoman for the district administration confirmed this number to the German Press Agency. Previously there was talk of only 35,000 to 50,000 animals being affected. The killing of these animals, including 80,000 ducks in Neuhardenberg, begins in the morning, but this measure cannot be completed in a single day [sueddeutsche.de](https://www.sueddeutsche.de/wissen/vogelgrippe-in-brandenburg-landkreis-130-000-tiere-muessen-getoetet- Werden-dpa.urn-newsml-dpa-com-20090101-251026-930-208589) reported.

The situation is not just local, but affects several poultry flocks nationwide. Thuringia, Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania are also recording an increase in infections. Particularly noteworthy is the high mortality rate among cranes, which have been affected to an unprecedented extent this autumn. More than 1,000 cranes have died in Brandenburg, and the Linumer Teich, a well-known bird resting area, is among the affected areas. Dead cranes are already being recovered there, while around 6,900 cranes have been spotted resting in the area. Tours in this region have been canceled and NABU advises against excursions, according to tagesschau.de.

The spread of bird flu

Bird flu spreads particularly strongly in autumn. The current risk assessment from the Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI) has been raised to “high”, making the situation even more worrying. In recent weeks, numerous outbreaks have been documented in various federal states. As tagesspiegel.de describes, in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania alone, pathogens were detected in laying hen flocks with 55,000 and 93,000 animals, which led to the culling of all animals led.

The more than 15 confirmed outbreaks in poultry farms nationwide in October are also a worrying signal. Experts fear that bird flu could continue to spread among wild birds. There are particularly serious cases in Baden-Württemberg, where a poultry population is also affected, leading to the killing of around 15,000 additional animals. It is being investigated here whether there is a connection with the crane deaths.

Effects on humans and animals

According to current knowledge, the virus does not pose a threat to humans. However, the spread is worrying and there are voices that speak of an increased risk. Cranes follow classic migration routes to southwestern Europe and North Africa, so migration in these autumn months promotes the spread of the virus.

National cooperation between the federal and state governments will now be crucial. Agriculture Minister Alois Rainer has already called a meeting to which experts have also been invited. The aim is to take a coordinated approach to bring the situation under control and ensure the health of animals and people.

It remains to be hoped that these measures will quickly take effect and that the affected regions will soon be able to give the all-clear again.