Bird flu alarm in the Uelzen district: Suspected cases under control!

Bird flu alarm in the Uelzen district: Suspected cases under control!

There is currently a mood of alarm regarding bird flu in the Uelzen district. Although there is currently no general obligation to keep poultry in stables, those responsible are alarmed. As the AZ reported, two suspected cases are currently being investigated. In the neighborhood, in the Gifhorn district, a preventive decision has already been made to require poultry to be kept in stables. This shows how seriously the situation is taken.

Poultry farmers in the Uelzen district are asked to take all possible protective measures. This includes covering aviaries and strictly adhering to biosecurity regulations. It is particularly important to avoid contact between domestic poultry and wild birds. Martin Theine from the district warns urgently against touching potentially affected animals and gives hygiene instructions for handling wild birds. The virus could be transmitted by wild birds, especially cranes.

Increasing threat of bird flu

The situation surrounding bird flu is assessed as “highly dynamic”. A general decree could be issued at any time to contain the virus. We have already heard from various regions in Germany that more than 200,000 chickens, geese, ducks and turkeys were killed due to infections. These figures are alarming and reflect the serious health threats currently facing poultry farming daily news determines.

In October alone, 26 cases of infection were registered nationwide in poultry farming alone. Cranes and other wild birds in particular are severely affected, which is worrying for all animal husbandry. If the measures required by poultry farmers and any stable requirements are not implemented quickly enough, this could have fatal consequences.

Health and economic impacts

The poultry industry is worried. The President of the Central Association of the German Poultry Industry, Hans-Peter Goldnick, urgently calls for a comprehensive debate about vaccination strategies and adjustments to animal disease law. There are serious fears of shortages of eggs and poultry meat, which could have a negative impact on markets. In Brandenburg, for example, trade bans on eggs and meat products have already been imposed after 1,200 cranes died.

The social impact should also not be underestimated, especially for poultry farmers who have to reckon with economic losses. The Greens in the Bundestag recognize the structural problem of factory farming in this context and are calling for a switch to more sustainable forms of farming. As the BMLE highlights, a large number of documentation and hygiene measures are also recognized for poultry farmers, some of which are very strict, and must be followed.

In summary, the situation in the Uelzen district and beyond shows that bird flu poses a serious threat to poultry farming. It remains to be hoped that the seriousness of the situation will be recognized and the right measures will be taken to ensure both the health of the animals and the economic stability of the owners.