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Bird flu epidemic: Minister calls for vaccinations to deal with the crisis!
Agriculture Minister Backhaus is calling for vaccinations against bird flu in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in order to protect stocks.
Bird flu epidemic: Minister calls for vaccinations to deal with the crisis!
The situation surrounding bird flu in Germany continues to worsen. The current figures show a dramatic increase in cases, putting not only poultry farmers but also the entire industry on alert. The MOPO reports that more than 500,000 animals have already had to be killed as a precaution. The federal states of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Brandenburg and Lower Saxony are particularly affected, where a high number of outbreaks in poultry farms have been recorded.
The Agriculture Minister of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Till Backhaus (SPD), advocates vaccinations against the virus, which is particularly common in wild birds, such as cranes. Vaccine produced in Germany is already being used successfully in France. Backhaus suggests carrying out ring vaccinations around affected farms in order to avoid killing entire herds.
Vaccination strategies and stable requirements
A nationwide requirement for stables is a necessity for many poultry farmers in order to contain the rapid spread of the virus. The daily news quotes Georg Heitlinger from the Baden-Württemberg State Association of the Poultry Industry, who underlines the urgency of these measures in order to protect the animals and ensure security of supply.
The Central Association of the German Poultry Industry (ZDG) warns of possible supply bottlenecks for eggs and poultry meat. ZDG President Hans-Peter Goldnick not only calls for a debate about vaccination strategies, but also adjustments to animal disease law. Unfortunately, other countries are currently refusing to import products from vaccinated poultry, which further complicates the situation.
The current virus pressure
The current situation is alarming. The Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI) has reported over 30 outbreaks in poultry farms in recent months. In addition, cases of infection were registered in 50 holdings nationwide, 26 of them in October alone. Areas with a high density of wild birds are particularly badly affected, where cranes are considered the main vector of avian influenza.
According to the FLI, bird flu may have reached unknown levels this autumn. The fact that around 1,200 cranes have died in northwest Brandenburg has led to strict trade bans on eggs and meat products. “This is a depressing situation for everyone involved,” says District Administrator Rald Reinhardt, describing the psychological strain on the helpers on site.
Bird flu remains a serious problem that requires not only local but also national solutions. Poultry farmers are willing to be immunized, but export restrictions are currently standing in the way of widespread use of the vaccine. The coming weeks will be crucial for the future of poultry farming and the health of animals in Germany.