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Bird flu alarm in Saxony-Anhalt: Avian influenza is spreading rapidly!
Mansfeld-Südharz is fighting bird flu with strict hygiene regulations and exclusion zones after massive outbreaks.
Bird flu alarm in Saxony-Anhalt: Avian influenza is spreading rapidly!
The situation surrounding bird flu remains tense. “The situation in Saxony-Anhalt remains acute,” reports Christa Kühn, President of the Friedrich Loeffler Institute. The infection situation has developed dramatically in the last few weeks and there is no sign of calming down. The possible spread of the H5N1 virus to the south is particularly alarming. It is clear that avian influenza, a fatal disease for many species of birds and poultry, requires close attention.
The risk of infection is great. In many districts in Saxony-Anhalt, poultry farmers are already required to have stables in order to minimize the risk of further spread of the virus. “Additional containment measures are essential,” said the institute. One example is in the Mansfeld-Südharz district, where a exclusion zone was set up after a case of bird flu. Unfortunately, 40,000 animals from a laying hen farm have already had to be killed there.
Current spread in Germany
From the beginning of September to the end of October, around 50 outbreaks were detected in commercial poultry farms in Germany - almost doubling within a week. In this short period of time, over 500,000 chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys had to be killed and disposed of as a precautionary measure. The federal states of Lower Saxony, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Schleswig-Holstein are particularly affected.
The total number of affected poultry farms this year is 85, higher than in 2017 and represents the third highest spread of avian influenza in Germany. To understand the dangers, we should remember the worst epidemics from 2021 and 2022, which show us how serious the situation is.
Wild birds and their role
The high number of infections in wild birds is particularly noticeable. The H5N1 virus was detected in approximately 250 animal carcasses submitted, which is just the tip of the iceberg. The actual number of animals that died could be many times higher. In Mansfeld-Südharz, several cranes were found that had died from avian influenza, indicating a worrying mass die-off. “There were no large numbers of wild ducks or wild geese who died, but the cranes are severely affected,” warn the experts.
The recovery of dead wild birds remains crucial, even though veterinary authorities are busy. It is clear that hygiene measures and surveillance are the top priority to prevent the epidemic from flaring up again. The focus should now be on prevention, because avian influenza knows no borders.
For anyone who is interested in further information about current events, we recommend that you follow the reporting online and always stay informed. Because one thing is certain: there is something going on.