Avian flu on the rise: Animals at risk – What do owners need to know?

Avian flu on the rise: Animals at risk – What do owners need to know?

Bird flu is spreading rapidly in Germany and the situation is becoming increasingly alarming. In recent days, numerous poultry farmers received the sad news that they had to kill their animals to prevent the spread of the H5N1 virus. The first reports of infections come from the Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm region, where 21 larger poultry farms with a total of almost 300,000 animals are located. Bird flu was officially diagnosed here at the weekend, causing great concern among owners. This is also reported by Volksfreund, who takes up the worrying situation.

In Morbach, a town in the Bernkastel-Wittlich district, the H5N1 virus was detected in a crane that was found dead. Further dead cranes were discovered in Neumagen-Dhron, Greimerath and Meckel. In Trier and the neighboring Trier-Saarburg district, the authorities also found ten dead wild birds, four of which were confirmed to have the virus. These developments highlight how seriously the threat of bird flu must be taken, particularly in rural areas.

Health risks for animals and people

Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a highly contagious infectious disease that primarily affects chickens and turkeys. Many infected animals die as a result of this disease. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) emphasizes that the likelihood of transmission to humans is considered to be very low. So far, no illnesses have been reported in Germany. However, people who work in the poultry industry or who have contact with animals should exercise caution, warn the experts at Brisant.

The infection of dogs and cats is also classified as very low. However, pets should avoid contact with sick birds as transmission is possible through consumption of meat or carrion from infected waterfowl. RKI strongly advises not to touch dead or sick birds and to report such finds to the veterinary office immediately.

Recommended protective measures

• Hühnerhalter sollten ihre Tiere registrieren und in der Haltung strenge Hygienepraktiken beachten.
• Bei ungewöhnlichen Verlusten der Tiere (z.B. mehr als drei in 24 Stunden) oder bei Symptomen wie Apathie sollte sofort ein Tierarzt kontaktiert werden.
• Lebensmittel wie Geflügelfleisch und Eier gelten als sicher, sofern sie gut durchgegart sind.

The concerns of private owners are great. It is essential that you stay informed about current developments and act preventatively. The spread of bird flu shows that protecting people and animals is a top priority, while the debate about the safety of eggs and meat in stores is growing louder.

In conclusion, despite the dangers associated with bird flu, the risk to the general public is still considered to be low. Therefore, the motto is: keep calm, monitor the situation and observe the hygiene regulations.

For further information on the current situation of bird flu and its danger, read the articles of People's friend and Explosive.