Red alert: Bird flu is spreading rapidly in Bavaria!

Red alert: Bird flu is spreading rapidly in Bavaria!

In the last few weeks, bird flu has been making the rounds again in Bavaria. Authorities are concerned about an increase in confirmed cases in wild birds. Swans, wild geese, wild ducks and other waterfowl are particularly affected. Current evidence comes from the districts of Fürstenfeldbruck, Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm and Donau-Ries, where, among other things, two infected greylag geese were discovered at Lake Germering and a mallard at Lake Olching BR.de reports.

So far this year, 84 infected wild animals and five kept animals have been registered. In an alarming development, at least twelve infected wild birds have been discovered since the beginning of October alone. These cases include the gray geese that died in Jettenbach. The likelihood of further spread of bird flu is estimated to be high, which is prompting the responsible veterinary authorities to impose strict hygiene measures for poultry farmers.

Important hygiene precautions

To prevent the spread of avian influenza, poultry farmers should observe some important hygiene regulations:

• Kleider- und Schuhwechsel bei der Arbeit mit Tieren.
• Regelmäßige Desinfektionsmaßnahmen durchführen.
• Den Kontakt zwischen Hausgeflügel und Wildvögeln strikt vermeiden.

In addition, it is advisable that poultry flocks are not allowed to be accessed by people from outside the company. The veterinary office advises only using company-owned clothing, storing food and bedding in a way that is safe for wild birds and reporting possible illnesses to the vet immediately. A warning from the Donau-Ries Veterinary Office also warns against touching dead or sick wild birds. In the event of contact, thorough hand washing and avoiding dog contact with dead birds are essential.

The Ministry of the Environment does not currently believe that there is a general requirement for free-range poultry to be kept in stables, as this would represent a major challenge for poultry farmers. Nevertheless, the epidemic situation remains tense and could require adjustment of the measures at any time. The stable requirement is described as the authorities' strongest instrument should the situation worsen.

Global bird flu situation

In a global context, bird flu, particularly the H5N1 virus, represents a serious problem. According to the CDC, the virus has already caused outbreaks in poultry farming in many countries. While the public health threat in the United States is currently considered low, there have been several human infections, mostly caused by contact with infected animals. As the CDC mentions in a recent report, person-to-person transmission of the H5N1 virus has not yet occurred in the United States or worldwide. The vast majority of human infections have resulted in milder symptoms, but some hospitalizations and even deaths have been documented.

The early symptoms of possible infection may be subtle, but it is important to be particularly careful, especially for those who have close contact with infected birds or contaminated environments. Health authorities are working intensively to monitor the virus and inform the population about preventive measures to contain the spread.

Overall, it is clear that bird flu is not only a local challenge in Bavaria, but is also an issue of great importance globally. The affected farmers and poultry keepers are called upon to remain vigilant and to take the recommended measures seriously in order to protect their stocks and the health of the population.