Bird flu in Barnstorf: 36,600 hens have to be killed!

Bird flu in Barnstorf: 36,600 hens have to be killed!

In Barnstorf, in the Diepholz district, the situation surrounding bird flu (also known as avian influenza) has become more serious. With a recent outbreak, a total of 36,600 laying hens had to be culled at a farm in Drentwede, according to Kreiszeitung. This is the second outbreak in this district, after one case was reported in the municipality of Stuhr.

In order to contain the spread of the virus, the authorities have set up a restriction zone that includes five municipalities: Barnstorf, Kirchdorf, parts of Schwaförden, Twistringen and Sulingen as well as an area in the neighboring Vechta district. This also means tightening up the measures: In this zone, all poultry farmers are required to keep their stalls in order to protect the animals.

Protective measures and reports

The measures are comprehensive and do not just include the killing of sick animals. Since October 28th, there has also been a general obligation to keep stables for businesses with more than 50 birds throughout the entire district. Import and export bans on birds, fresh poultry, game birds and eggs have also been put in place in the restriction zone. Pork and beef are excluded.

The high number of reports is particularly alarming: the authorities have already received over 430 reports of dead wild birds, which underlines the urgency of the situation. The rural population of Grafschaft Diepholz has asked the population to be careful and recommends avoiding walks near bodies of water where many wild birds live in order to prevent possible virus transmission.

The virus at a glance

Bird flu is spreading rapidly in Germany, which is why Federal Agriculture Minister Alois Rainer has called for increased protective measures. The problem is also evident in other federal states: in Baden-Württemberg alone, 15,000 animals were killed in a poultry farm, and in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, 150,000 animals had to be culled in two large farms. The Friedrich Loeffler Institute has classified the risk of further outbreaks as “high”.

So far, more than 200,000 farm animals have died in Germany due to bird flu. According to Tagesschau, thousands of cranes are also affected. While there is currently no increased risk for the population, contact with sick birds should be avoided. Hygiene rules must be strictly adhered to to prevent the virus from spreading further.

Citizens can report dead or sick wild birds via a citizen hotline, which is available from Monday to Thursday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. and on Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Help can also be requested on Reformation Day and at weekends from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Failure to comply with the ordered measures could result in fines of up to 30,000 euros.