Avian influenza in the Alb-Donau district: red alert for animal owners!

Avian influenza in the Alb-Donau district: red alert for animal owners!

Avian influenza is back and that is causing a lot of excitement in the Alb-Donau district. How Press Augsburg reported, an outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 was recently identified. The veterinary service has taken immediate measures to prevent the disease from spreading.

A protection zone with a radius of 3 kilometers was set up in the immediate vicinity of the affected company. This affects numerous poultry farms and includes strict requirements. In the monitoring zone, which extends into the northern district of Neu-Ulm and includes 35 companies, there is a ban on the transport of live birds, eggs and poultry meat. In addition, all birds, from chickens to ducks, must be strictly kept in the stables - with one exception for pigeons.

Strict containment regulations

The measures are rigorous: everyone who enters the stables must wear either in-house protective clothing or disposable protective clothing. There is also a strict ban on ignoring abnormalities in poultry - these must be reported to the veterinary service immediately. The registration requirement for poultry farmers in the district is also emphasized again. This applies to every keeping of one animal or more, because everyone now has to have a good hand in keeping their animals safe.

• Vorschriften in der Überwachungszone:
  • Verbot des Verbringens von Vögeln, Eiern oder Geflügelfleisch
  • Strikte Aufstallungspflicht für alle Vögel, außer Tauben
  • Betreten der Ställe nur mit Schutzkleidung
  • Stallspezifisches Umkleiden für das Personal
  • Unverzügliche Meldung von Auffälligkeiten

There are also a number of recommendations for poultry farmers outside the monitoring zone. They should also initially keep their birds indoors and adhere to appropriate biosecurity measures in order to minimize possible risks. The dangers lurk particularly in contact with wild birds, which is why food and bedding should also be secured to prevent wild birds from entering.

Outlook and further developments

Austria has so far been spared from major outbreaks of avian influenza in 2025, but the dangers should not be underestimated. How on consumerhealth.gv.at was discovered, there were already first detections of H5N1 in wild birds in Carinthia and Lower Austria. According to experts, the risk of avian influenza penetrating domestic poultry farms is “medium” and monitoring the populations remains essential.

Even if there are currently no vaccines against avian influenza in Austria or the EU, poultry farmers can protect their flocks through increased biosecurity measures. Particularly in regions where outbreaks have already been documented, it is advisable to strictly follow all avian influenza control guidelines.

Of particular concern are the ongoing outbreaks in wild birds in Europe. Loud Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agriculture Poultry farming in Germany and Italy is already affected. Monitoring and rapid responses from veterinary authorities are now crucial to prevent further damage.

In the current case, the veterinary service will be available to answer questions on 0731 7040 70100. It is all the more important that everyone responsible knows exactly what to do and that they are always on guard - because avian influenza not only has its place in the headlines, but also in our everyday lives.