Bird flu throughout Germany: H5N1 spreads – animal husbandry at risk
According to the Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI), which is responsible for animal disease control, avian influenza has now spread almost throughout Germany. With the exception of the city-state of Bremen, infections with the highly contagious H5N1 virus subtype have been detected in dead wild birds from all other German states. "We are registering a very dynamic infection pattern, not only in cranes, but also in other bird species," said a spokeswoman for the institute, which is based near Greifswald in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
Although the animal disease is now widespread year-round in Germany, the infection rate picks up significantly with bird migration in the fall. According to FLI estimates, the spread of avian influenza among cranes has reached a level previously unknown in Germany.
In the Linumer Teich area near Berlin, one of the largest crane resting places in Germany, around 1,200 dead cranes have already been recovered. At the Kelbra reservoir on the state border between Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt, more than 500 dead cranes have been found.
Fulvio Kudernatsch is one of the volunteers currently collecting dead cranes in Brandenburg. They have already recovered more than 900 carcasses. A task that places a great emotional strain on him.
With the rapid spread of avian influenza, concerns about economic damage are growing. After cases of infection were recently reported in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, commercial poultry farmers in eight federal states are now affected. In some places, authorities have ordered confinement and banned poultry markets. The FLI has so far recorded more than 21 outbreaks in poultry farms for the month of October.
Malte Voigts' asparagus farm in Kremmen, in the Oberhavel district of Brandenburg, is also affected. A dead crane suddenly appeared in his goose enclosure. "The cranes actually fall from the sky while flying," he said. After laboratory tests, it was clear that his poultry had been infected with the H5N1 influenza virus.
Around 5,000 geese and about 3,600 ducks now have to be culled – just before the peak sales season before Christmas. Voigts hasn't yet been able to say how much damage he's suffered.
"I see how the animals are suffering. They have balance problems and are slowly dying here," Voigts said. A short time later, the geese are placed in cages on the meadow. Police are also deployed to secure the area. A specialist company will stun the animals with gas and kill them in containers, Voigts explained.
"It's better. The animals will then be put down," said the farm manager. He left it up to the farm's employees whether they wanted to participate in the event.
Federal Agriculture Minister Alois Rainer (CSU) called for increased protective measures. "The top priority here is to prevent the spread of the virus, protect animals, and avert damage to our agriculture and food industry," the CSU politician said in Berlin. The Central Association of the German Poultry Industry warned: "If we fail to act, we risk not only animal health but also security of supply."
The infectious disease has been spreading for weeks. "There are currently numerous outbreaks, both in wildfowl and in poultry farms. This is actually not unusual for this time of year," said Rainer. "However, there has been a very rapid increase in infections in the past 14 days. This also shows how serious the situation is and how important joint and coordinated action is." The FLI has now raised the risk assessment to high.
Rainer met with ministers from the German states on Thursday, who are responsible for disease control. The Federal Ministry has also requested that the EU raise the upper limit for compensation payments for animals that must be killed from €50 to up to €110. Market value is usually the basis for compensation payments from the animal disease fund.
The disease poses a threat to poultry farmers. The FLI estimates that so far this fall, more than 200,000 chickens, geese, ducks, and turkeys have been culled and disposed of following outbreaks of avian influenza in their respective holdings in order to contain the spread of the disease. Hundreds of thousands more animals are expected to be added in the coming days and weeks. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania alone, a total of 150,000 animals must be culled from two laying hen farms, as reported by the "Ostsee-Zeitung" – a partner in the RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND) .
Countermeasures include protection zones of several kilometers around the affected farms, as well as larger surveillance zones. The FLI currently lists more than two dozen such exclusion zones nationwide. These zones require poultry to be kept indoors to isolate them from wild birds and rodents. Feed or meat from slaughtered animals that may contain the virus may not be taken out of the zone. Farms must conduct daily disinfection measures along access and exit routes.
The industry is relying on comprehensive precautionary measures, emphasized the Central Association of the German Poultry Industry. "The states must review the housing requirement for at-risk regions – especially for outdoor farms." Practical exceptions must be made for goose farmers.
"Many of us are deeply unsettled," said Georg Heitlinger, farmer and chairman of the Baden-Württemberg Poultry Industry Association. While keepers are accustomed to the almost annual recurrence of avian flu, "this time it's a truly aggressive virus." Such a case could quickly become a threat to the livelihood of farmers, especially for laying hens, because they spend longer in the barn than broiler chickens.
Livestock farmers must pay into their state's animal disease fund, which provides cover in such cases. According to the Animal Diseases Act, compensation is primarily payable for animals killed by official order. The specific provisions vary from state to state. Reimbursement is based on the current value of the animals killed, and in some cases, additional hygiene measures. However, no compensation is available for consequential damages, such as penalties for unfulfilled delivery contracts.
The avian flu virus is currently spreading rapidly across Germany. What subtypes are there? How can you recognize an infection—and how likely is a pandemic? Key questions and answers.
Avian influenza viruses are not easily transmitted from animals to humans, but it is still possible. According to the Robert Koch Institute, transmission occurs primarily through close contact with sick or dead birds and their products or excretions.
Therefore, "Keep your distance from dead birds," emphasized Martin Rümmler, bird protection officer at the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU). "You don't have to panic and jump back, but of course you shouldn't touch the animal." Dead birds should be reported. The first point of contact is the local veterinary office. "What you should definitely not do is collect and dispose of the bird on your own."
Anyone who sees birds lying on the ground in the distance should also call the veterinary office immediately instead of approaching. Because: "Perhaps there are animals lying there that aren't yet dead, but can no longer fly—and are then experiencing enormous stress from humans before their death," added Klaus Hackländer, board member of the German Wildlife Foundation and professor of wildlife biology at BOKU University Vienna.
After encountering a dead bird, it's a good idea to wash your hands, clothes, and shoes as a precaution if you've walked through mud near the animal. "The virus is transmitted through bodily fluids. And it's certainly possible that the animal walked there before its death and perhaps defecated," said Rümmler.
With agency material.
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