Bird flu outbreak prompts mass culling, strict measures in Germany
Several tens of thousands of laying hens have been culled by the owners of a farm in northern Germany due to a highly contagious strain of the bird flu virus. Authorities are now taking samples from nearby farms that collectively house over two million animals.
The bird flu outbreak was identified at a laying hen farm in Hoogstede, Lower Saxony, Germany.
Upon testing the samples, it was confirmed to be a highly contagious type of the virus (HPAI, subtype H5N1).
As a result, according to "Bild," all 30,000 hens were culled on Friday. Subsequently, a thorough cleaning and disinfection of the facility commenced.
Testing animals from nearby farms
The portal highlights that the farm where the outbreak was confirmed is situated in a significant area. There are over 300 other farms in the vicinity with approximately 2.3 million animals registered.
To curb the virus's spread, a protection zone with a two-mile radius and a surveillance zone with a six-mile radius have been established. Among other restrictions in these zones, moving or transporting poultry from the farm is prohibited.
The source of the infection remains unknown. Veterinarians are collecting samples from nearby farms for further investigation.
Bird flu most commonly affects chickens and turkeys. Earlier this year, authorities in Louisiana announced the death of the first person in the USA from bird flu (H5N1). The deceased was a 65-year-old man who was hospitalised in December in critical condition.
