First case of avian influenza confirmed in the Ennepe-Ruhr district!

First case of avian influenza confirmed in the Ennepe-Ruhr district!

Avian influenza, a serious issue for livestock farmers in the region, is currently making headlines. The first case this season was only recently confirmed in the Ennepe-Ruhr district. The national reference laboratory of the Friedrich Löffler Institute discovered the disease in a wild goose in Witten. This goose was found on October 30th at Lake Kemnader in the Heven area. In recent years, sporadic cases of avian influenza have been reported in Witten, Wetter and Herdecke. But now it is particularly important to be vigilant because the pathogen could easily invade our domestic poultry flocks.

Dr. Bettina Maintz, the official veterinarian, explained that there are currently no restriction zones or general stable requirements planned. However, the situation is being monitored closely and further action could be taken if necessary. In order to prevent possible infections, the district administration is calling on poultry farmers to be careful. Regular checks and cadaver tests at Lake Kemnader and along the Ruhr are already underway in order to identify any further cases at an early stage. Three dead waterfowl, including two geese and a swan, were forwarded to the Chemical and Veterinary Investigation Department for examination.

Important information for poultry farmers

The district administration has issued clear measures that poultry farmers should definitely observe in order to protect their household stocks:

• Füttern Sie Ihr Geflügel nicht an Orten, die auch für Wildvögel zugänglich sind.
• Gestalten Sie Futterstellen und Tränken so, dass Wildvögel keinen Zugang haben.
• Nutzen Sie nur Leitungswasser zum Tränken, niemals Oberflächenwasser.
• Trennen Sie Stall- und Straßenkleidung und waschen Sie sich die Hände gründlich.
• Lagern Sie Futter, Einstreu und Materialien sicher und sichern Sie Ställe gegen unbefugtes Betreten.
• Seien Sie vorbereitet auf eine mögliche Stallpflicht.

Dog owners in particular are asked to keep their dogs on a leash to avoid contact with potentially infected birds. The contact persons at the district administration are Jörg Trestik, Barbara Pass and Dr. Bettina Maintz is available to clarify questions or report suspected cases. Every poultry farm must also be registered with the veterinary office; An online form is available for this on the district administration website.

Preventive measures in other regions

It's not just the Ennepe-Ruhr district that is affected. In the Leer district, a requirement to keep poultry in stables was also introduced on November 8th in response to the spread of avian influenza in Germany. This stable requirement is an important preventative measure to combat the disease, which has been proven in both domestic poultry flocks and wild birds. Here too, all poultry flocks, including small hobby farms, must be registered with the veterinary office. Hygiene and biosecurity are fundamental measures that owners must now implement more strongly.

In these uncertain times, there is no shame in playing it safe. Proper preparation and information can help limit the spread of avian influenza and protect our local livestock.