Dead crane in Kaiserpfalz: Is there a threat of bird flu in the Burgenland district?

Dead crane in Kaiserpfalz: Is there a threat of bird flu in the Burgenland district?

In the last few days there has been a lot of news about avian influenza, which now seems to have reached our region. Last Wednesday, October 29, a dead crane was discovered in the municipality of Kaiserpfalz, raising suspicions of the highly contagious disease known as avian influenza. How MZ.de reported, the crane was immediately seized by the Burgenland district veterinary office and is currently being examined at the State Office for Consumer Protection in Stendal. However, an official result is still pending, because in order to be able to speak of an actual outbreak, a positive result must be officially confirmed by the Friedrich Löffler Institute.

The situation is serious and the veterinary office has already asked all poultry farmers in the region to immediately report the keeping of their poultry. Safety measures are now the be-all and end-all: The stables should be equipped with shoe disinfection facilities, and washing and disinfecting hands before entering the stables is mandatory. It is also strongly advised to only feed poultry in the stables and to keep feed safe for wild birds.

The spread of avian influenza

The situation is not only limited to the Burgenland district. According to reports, suspicion of avian influenza was also confirmed in a dead crane in Lippetal. According to the news service MK Journal The virus was detected in a hobby farm, where a total of 49 animals were killed as a precaution after eleven had already died. These incidents demonstrate the urgency of the situation - not least because avian influenza is considered highly contagious and usually leads to high mortality rates among the affected species.

Bird flu has been gaining momentum across Germany in recent months. Outbreaks are increasing this fall, particularly among wild birds. A recent analysis reports that around 2,000 cranes died from avian influenza and over 200,000 farm animals nationwide were culled due to the outbreaks. The authorities are trying to limit the spread of the virus and the Federal Minister of Agriculture has already called for increased protective measures. Also daily news draws attention to the explosive situation.

In view of the worsening situation, the veterinary office recommends adhering to hygiene regulations and avoiding contact with wild birds. There is currently no increased risk for the population, but contact with dead or sick birds should be avoided at all costs. There is great concern for the animals because avian influenza not only leads to significant economic losses in agriculture, but also threatens the biodiversity of our bird world.

The coming days will be crucial in determining how the situation develops. Poultry farmers are well advised to regularly inform themselves about the latest developments and, if in doubt, to act proactively to protect the health of their animals.