Bird flu in Southwest Palatinate: mandatory stables and suspected cases!

Bird flu in Southwest Palatinate: mandatory stables and suspected cases!

In recent weeks, bird flu (H5N1) has also caused excitement in the Südwestpfalz district. The district administration has therefore issued a general animal health order, which has been in force since November 4th and provides citizens with strict guidelines until further notice. The order not only affects the district itself, but also the cities of Pirmasens and Zweibrücken. The aim is to prevent the spread of the disease and minimize contact between kept birds and wild birds. A look at our neighbors shows: The situation is serious, because numerous regions in Germany, including Saarland and Hamburg, have also ordered compulsory stables in order to reduce the risk of infection. [Tagesschau] reports that tens of thousands of animals have been killed in these areas and deaths and suspected cases of wild birds are also reported.

The stable requirement requires all birds kept to be kept in closed rooms. Events such as poultry exhibitions and markets are prohibited. This significantly limits the activities of poultry farmers in the region and shows that these measures should not be taken lightly. Despite the number of infections in the southwest Palatinate being kept low so far, there are already suspected cases, which is fueling the fears of the population.

Hope for an early repeal

District Administrator Dr. However, Susanne Ganster expressed optimism and hopes that the stable requirement will be lifted soon. This would be a ray of hope for poultry farmers who suffer from the strict regulations. The district administration has set up a special email address to report dead or sick birds: vogelgrippe@lksuedwestpfalz.de. Reports can also be made by telephone at 06331/809-259 between 6:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. The name, accessibility, location and description of the birds should always be stated. An appeal to the population: Dead or sick birds should not be touched or taken away.

The situation in Germany is tense. In Brandenburg, for example, 35 outbreaks have been identified in commercial poultry farms since the beginning of September, and new cases are being added every day. The Central Association of the German Poultry Industry is therefore calling for a nationwide “housing requirement” to curb the spread of the dangerous bird flu. Over 500,000 animals were killed as a precaution to combat the disease. Of course, this causes great resentment among poultry farmers who depend on their animals.

Bird flu remains a highly contagious infectious disease that has devastating consequences, particularly among cranes; Around 2,000 carcasses of this bird species were spotted in Brandenburg. However, the actual extent of the infection could be even higher, as the Friedrich Loeffler Institute has examined numerous animal carcasses. So far, the risk of infection for people is extremely low, but the situation remains tense and requires more vigilant measures.

To further inform the population, the district administration has set up a special avian influenza subpage on its website, where additional information and updates are provided. People on site are called upon to remain vigilant and to contribute to safety by making appropriate observations. Because when it comes to the health of our animals, we all care!