Bird flu shock in Vechta: 175,000 animals have to be killed!

Bird flu shock in Vechta: 175,000 animals have to be killed!

Bird flu has struck again in Lower Saxony. **A new case** was reported today in the Vechta district, which **once again** illustrates the alarming dimensions of the epidemic. Around **175,000 laying hens** in the Spreda district are about to be killed, which is scheduled for Tuesday. This represents the **sixth outbreak** in Vechta within just a week and a half. A total of **365,000 animals** have already been affected in this district. There's something going on!

The situation is not only worrying locally - Lower Saxony leads the list of federal states with the most outbreaks. The Friedrich Loeffler Institute currently records **29 active cases** in kept animals. The districts of Cloppenburg, Diepholz, Emsland, Harburg, Heidekreis, Oldenburg, Rothenburg/Wümme, Stade and Vechta are particularly affected, with Cloppenburg being the sad leader with **11 cases**. In 2024, **2,257 poultry farms** with around **12.3 million animals** were registered there. Farmers in these regions must prepare for further challenges.

Special safety measures required

To prevent the virus from spreading further, strict **safety measures** are in place. In parts of Lower Saxony, including the Harburg district, a **stall requirement** has been imposed for poultry keeping with 50 or more animals. In the Tostedt community, **13,000 geese** and **26,000 ducks** have already had to be culled to contain the virus. Public health is the top priority here, because although the virus is considered relatively harmless to humans, they can still act as carriers.

The spread of the virus can be facilitated by **contaminated footwear** or equipment, and there is suspicion of transmission via **aerosols** in poultry-dense regions. Here, companies are required to consistently implement safety measures in order to protect the health of animals and people alike.

Price development and compensation payments

Another effect of these outbreaks could be a **price increase** for duck and goose meat. Farmers not only have to contend with losses, but should also receive **higher compensation payments** to compensate for the economic losses. These concerns could soon be felt in consumers' wallets, because the required quality assurance and animal health comes at a price.

The spread of bird flu is a serious challenge for poultry farming in Lower Saxony. It is hoped that the measures taken will soon bring the situation under control and that the affected farmers will receive the support they need to overcome this crisis.