Bird flu outbreak: Alarm in the Eifel district – farmers are very worried!

Bird flu outbreak: Alarm in the Eifel district – farmers are very worried!

These days, bird flu is once again a concern in Germany, especially in the Eifel region, where the disease is spreading rapidly. Many poultry farmers are forced to kill their animals to prevent the virus from spreading further. In the Eifel district of Bitburg-Prüm, 21 larger poultry farmers with a total of almost 300,000 animals are affected People's friend reported. The recent detections of viruses in wild cranes in the region, including Morbach and Neumagen-Dhron, are particularly alarming.

Several dead wild birds were discovered in Trier and the neighboring Trier-Saarburg district - the virus was confirmed in four of these cases. Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by influenza A viruses. This disease often causes high losses in chickens and turkeys and poses a serious threat to the poultry farming industry.

Acute measures for poultry farmers

In view of the current situation, the Rhineland-Nassau Farmers' Association has launched a call for chicken farmers to take intensive hygiene and prevention measures. Smaller owners are required to report their holdings to the responsible authorities. In addition, high losses, such as the death of three or more animals within 24 hours in up to 100 animals, should be reported to the veterinarian immediately. Apathy and loss of balance are other symptoms that do not bode well.

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) estimates the risk of human infection to be very low unless there is close contact with infected poultry. The risk of transmission to humans remains manageable due to the number of cases so far and the nature of the disease. Since 2003, over 2,600 human diseases have been documented worldwide, but no ongoing human-to-human transmission is known.

Pet precautions

What is particularly worrying is the fact that outdoor cats and dogs are also at risk of becoming infected with the virus. Pet owners should make sure to keep their four-legged friends on a leash and avoid contact with wild birds. Walks in the forest or bushes should be done with extreme caution.

The Friedrich Loeffler Institute offers weekly overview cards of infection cases in Germany and recommends not touching sick or dead wild birds. Any discoveries should be reported to the veterinary office immediately to stop the virus from spreading further.

Given current developments, it remains important to remain vigilant and follow the recommendations of the authorities. With a good handle on hygiene and protective measures, both poultry farmers and pet owners can help protect their animals and public health.