The obligation to house poultry ends: the veterinary office warns of caution!

The obligation to house poultry ends: the veterinary office warns of caution!

There is some news for all poultry farmers and nature lovers in the Rhine-Palatinate district today. The compulsory stay-at-home order imposed since November 12th to protect against the dreaded bird flu, also known as avian influenza, expires with effect today. This reports MRN News. Starting tomorrow, poultry shows and trade in live poultry will be permitted again. Mobile traders are also allowed to offer their goods again after the threat of bird flu has disappeared.

The responsible veterinary authority for the Rhine-Palatinate district and the cities of Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Frankenthal and Speyer informed about the lifting of the stable requirement. This decision is based on the encouraging fact that there have been no confirmed cases of highly pathogenic bird flu (H5N1) in the area of ​​responsibility since mid-December, meaning that the flow of migratory birds has come to an end.

Caution remains the order of the day

Despite the positive news, the veterinary authority continues to urge caution. She recommends that livestock owners avoid shared water areas between wild and farmed poultry. An important piece of advice is that poultry should not be fed or watered outdoors in the future. In particular, wild birds should not have access to the feeding places and watering places of kept animals in order to prevent possible transmission of the viruses.

Waterfowl should also not have access to waters where wild ducks, wild geese or swans rest. These measures are important to keep an eye on the health of the animals and minimize the risk of infection.

Observant walks recommended

Another appeal is addressed to the population: dead wild birds should be reported immediately when walking through forests and fields. This can be sent to the veterinary office at the email address veterinaeramt@rheinpfalzkreis.de happen - an exact location or geo coordinates are helpful. Pigeons and songbirds are exempt from this reporting requirement, but other bird species should be treated immediately to prevent the spread.

Avian influenza, caused by the influenza virus A of subtypes H5 or H7, is a serious issue worldwide. The message of the Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office One thing is clear: education about the dangers of highly pathogenic and low-pathogenic avian influenza must be taken seriously. The symptoms of the highly pathogenic variant can include breathing difficulties, a decline in egg production and fatal outcomes. Young animals are particularly susceptible to the disease.

With this in mind, we hope for a carefree spring for all poultry farmers in the region. Be attentive and act responsibly – both in keeping your animals and in your outdoor activities!