Bird flu alarm in Frankfurt: Canada goose discovered with H5N1!

Bird flu alarm in Frankfurt: Canada goose discovered with H5N1!

The highly contagious bird flu variant H5N1 was detected in a Canada goose in Frankfurt. The goose was found in the Eschersheim district near the Nidda. The local veterinary authority has urged poultry farmers to review and adapt their safety measures. To avoid the spread of the disease, direct or indirect contact between domestic poultry and wild birds should be avoided. It is also important that food, bedding and other items are stored out of the reach of wild birds. Only water that wild birds have no contact with may be used for drinking. The authority points out that if there is increased mortality in the herd, the veterinary authority should be contacted. Citizens are also encouraged to report dead or sick animals such as swans, ducks or geese.

How ffh.de reported that there is repeated evidence of the virus subtype H5N1 in Germany. Bird flu spreads mainly through wild birds and now occurs all year round. An infestation with the highly contagious variant usually leads to the killing of all affected animals in the herd. The Robert Koch Institute has assessed the risk of humans becoming infected with bird flu viruses as very low. There are currently no known cases of human infection in Germany, but there are cases abroad. There are different forms of the virus around the world.

Measures in Karlsruhe

Strict measures will apply in Karlsruhe from next Saturday due to avian influenza. Around 200 birds from a forest recreation park have already been killed. Poultry farmers are required to house their animals, including chickens, turkeys, guinea fowls, partridges, pheasants, ratites, quails, ducks and geese, in stables. Poultry exhibitions and markets are prohibited. Officials recommend biosecurity measures, particularly to avoid contact between kept birds and wild birds. Feeding areas and drinking troughs should be protected from wild birds.

How proplanta.de Reportedly, another animal park in the area as well as the Forst animal and bird park are also affected. A total of around 100 animals will be culled in the Forst Animal and Bird Park, including ostriches, emus, chickens, pigeons, ducks and geese. A current clamp is used to kill the large birds, while smaller animals are stunned with carbon dioxide. However, around 40 animals are allowed to stay in stables and must be tested regularly. The parks will remain closed for at least 50 days, which could result in significant loss of revenue. The animal and bird park also plans to stop keeping waterfowl.

In addition, an infection with H5N1 was found in a dead stork in Ortenaukreis on Wednesday, underlining the recurring outbreaks of bird flu in Baden-Württemberg. The Karlsruhe Zoo had to close for several weeks in 2022 due to an outbreak, without any infected animals being killed. Bird flu is considered an infectious disease that occurs primarily in waterfowl and is taken particularly seriously because H5N1 is considered a potential pandemic candidate and has killed millions of animals in recent years. People are sick, but there is no sustained person-to-person transmission.

– Submitted by West-East media