Red alert: bird flu threatens our poultry stocks!

Red alert: bird flu threatens our poultry stocks!

The H5N1 bird flu continues to make headlines and is causing a lot of unrest among poultry farmers in Germany. Christa Kühn, President of the Friedrich Loeffler Institute, has declared a red alert. Chickens and cranes are particularly susceptible to this dangerous virus, which will strike earlier than usual this fall.

Although the outbreak numbers are not yet exorbitant compared to previous years, crane mortality, which was strikingly high this year, exceeds all expectations. Where there are orders with large poultry populations, there is a risk of massive economic losses due to the culling, which in the worst case can wipe out up to 95 percent of the affected animals.

Current situation and economic impact

Authorities are recording a worrying increase in cases in several federal states, including North Rhine-Westphalia, Brandenburg, Thuringia, Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. In Brandenburg alone, over 1,000 cranes died in a bird sanctuary. The consequences for poultry farming are drastic: over 19,000 animals in North Rhine-Westphalia and more than 150,000 chickens in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania had to be killed in order to prevent further spread Deutschlandfunk reported.

This situation is hitting many livestock farmers hard, especially now that St. Martin's goose season is starting, further fueling economic losses. Federal Agriculture Minister Alois Rainer is calling for increased safety measures and has also submitted an application to the EU to increase compensation payments for affected animal owners.

Urgent security measures and recommendations

The situation remains tense. To prevent infection of poultry flocks, strict safety protocols and surveillance zones have been established. Positive samples of the H5N1 virus are immediately forwarded to the responsible veterinary offices. An intensive monitoring program is carried out. Even if the threats to egg and poultry prices are currently considered stable, vigilance remains essential.

Veterinarians and experts such as virologist Martin Beer also warn of possible further spread, particularly through bird migration. Although the risk to humans is currently assessed as low, experts urge caution. Infection occurs primarily through direct contact with infected animals, which must be avoided urgently World confirmed.

Anyone who comes across cranes that are found dead should also urgently refrain from touching them themselves and instead inform the responsible authorities. Conclusion: The coming weeks are crucial in dealing with H5N1. Animal owners and the public have a duty to take the necessary precautionary measures and keep a close eye on developments.