Bird flu outbreak in Öllingen: 15,000 animals killed, protective measures take effect!

Bird flu outbreak in Öllingen: 15,000 animals killed, protective measures take effect!

A disturbing incident has caused a stir in poultry farming in the Alb-Donau district in recent days. On Thursday evening, the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Agriculture reported an outbreak of bird flu in a poultry farm in Öllingen. As a result, the farm had to be closed immediately and, regrettably, 15,000 animals were killed to prevent the virus from spreading further. Minister Peter Hauk has already announced financial support from the animal disease fund to support affected farmers who are under considerable emotional and financial pressure.

The authorities took immediate action. A cleaning team is ensuring that the affected farm is disinfected and, fortunately, initial tests in the area have not yielded any new positive results. To further bring the situation under control, a three-kilometer protection zone and a ten-kilometer surveillance zone were established. In the protection zone, which includes 47 poultry farms, all poultry are required to be kept in stables. In addition, the sale and movement of poultry products are prohibited. All businesses in the monitoring zone, including 121 in the Alb-Donau district, are also not allowed to transport or sell live birds, poultry meat or eggs. This affects a total of around 28,000 animals in the Heidenheim district and smaller areas in the Bavarian districts of Neu-Ulm and Günzburg.

Support for farmers and necessary measures

In the midst of this tense situation, farmers in the Alb-Donau district are at attention. “Something is going on,” says farmer Rudolf Stöhr, who is concerned about bird flu and its impact on his business. Biosecurity measures have been massively increased, so that disinfection basins and protective clothing for visitors are now standard. These measures are crucial to prevent contact with wild birds and their droppings as best as possible. The Friedrich Loeffler Institute estimates that the risk of infection for the population is very low, but vigilance on the part of the population remains necessary. Citizens are asked not to touch sick wild birds but to report this immediately to the veterinary authorities.

Another essential step in dealing with this crisis is educating poultry farmers. They are urgently asked to inform the authorities immediately, especially if the animals behave abnormally or if there is an increased mortality rate. Dead or suspicious wild birds must also be reported immediately. The Hessian Farmers' Association points out that the University of Vechta's risk traffic light can be helpful in checking your own security concept.

Controls and further developments

The Ulm district office has announced that random checks will be carried out in the area. Meanwhile, the NABU Federsee Nature Conservation Center is closely monitoring the situation, as Federsee is not on the cranes' main migration route. So far, no cases of bird flu have appeared in the neighboring district of Biberach, which offers residents a little peace of mind.

The affected businesses can, however, rely on numerous offers of help provided by the animal disease fund. These include compensation for animals killed and the provision of disinfectants. Special insurance policies can also cover follow-up costs and lost income, which can offer farmers a certain level of security in this tense situation.

The situation remains tense and everyone involved is working to bring this unpleasant situation under control as quickly as possible. The next few weeks will show how effective the measures taken are and whether further steps are necessary. Farmers, who have been severely affected economically, hope for a quick return to normality.

SWR reports, that …

Swabian newspaper reports, that …

Hessian Farmers' Association informed, that …