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Alarm in the Uelzen district: New suspected cases of bird flu!
In the Uelzen district there were new suspected cases of bird flu in wild birds, including cranes and a runner duck.
Alarm in the Uelzen district: New suspected cases of bird flu!
In the Uelzen district, nature lovers and poultry farmers are currently under the impression of bird flu, which is taking on increasingly worrying proportions. How az-online.de Reportedly, several animal carcasses have been examined for avian influenza in the last few days. On Monday, the emergency services of the Uelzen district fire brigade's central danger train recovered three dead cranes that were found near the Upper Pond between Uelzen-Pieperhöfe and Rätzlingen.
The rescue, which was based on a report from the property owner, was carried out in collaboration with the district veterinary office and took around two and a half hours. The cranes were assuredly tested for the H5N1 virus and sent for disposal. These measures are part of a comprehensive plan to contain the spread of the virus and minimize the risk to poultry flocks.
New suspected cases and existing risks
In addition to the already known suspected cases in Bad Bevensen, Altenmedingen and Bienenbüttel, there are new suspected cases: a runner duck and a cormorant in Uelzen, another crane in Lüder as well as three cranes in Riestedt and two at the Rheinmetall shooting range. The first official suspected case in the district was found on October 26th in a crane in Bad Bevensen. However, so far the poultry populations in the district have not been affected, which still gives some hope.
However, the health risk for larger poultry farms, especially free-range ones, remains high. The district therefore urgently appeals to poultry farmers to adhere to strict hygiene measures. This includes the use of protective clothing, careful cleaning and disinfection of equipment and avoiding contact with wild birds.
Scientific background to the virus danger
What exactly does this all mean for our native bird species? Expert Martin Beer, who heads the Institute for Viral Diagnostics at the Friedrich Loeffler Institute for Animal Health, explains that wild birds such as ducks and geese are often infected with the H5N1 virus without becoming seriously ill themselves. However, cranes in particular are highly susceptible to the virus and live in close groups, which promotes transmission. In regions such as Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Brandenburg, crane deaths caused by H5N1 have already been observed.
The bird migration season brings with it an increased risk of further spreading the viruses. In fact, the incidence of influenza in this area is experiencing a noticeable increase, as the expert notes. Citizens are now required to be vigilant in order to address this health threat at an early stage.
The veterinary office's ongoing risk assessments will contribute to constant monitoring of the risk situation. It remains to be hoped that the situation will ease soon and the cranes in our region can continue to live in peace.