Bird flu in Grimma - district imposes protective measures

Following an outbreak of bird flu at a poultry farm in Grimma, the district of Leipzig has taken protective measures. As the district announced, a protection and surveillance zone is to prevent the further spread of the virus. The measures are valid from Tuesday.

Protection zones to prevent the spread

The protective measures include the establishment of a protection zone within a radius of three kilometers around the affected poultry farm. In addition, a surveillance zone is to be set up within a radius of ten kilometers around the outbreak site. The area of the surveillance zone extends into the neighboring districts of North Saxony and Central Saxony. Corresponding general decrees will be published by the veterinary offices of the district authorities. The smaller protection zone is a sub-area of the larger surveillance zone.

Poultry farmers must report suspicious disease symptoms immediately. In addition, poultry must be kept indoors in both zones. Strict hygiene measures are mandatory to prevent further spread of the virus. In the protection zone, the Food and Veterinary Office is also carrying out clinical examinations of all poultry flocks.

Confirmed case led to culling of animals

A suspected case in the Grimma district of Köllmichen was confirmed by tests at the end of last week. Avian influenza was detected on a farm with around 100 birds. In order to prevent the spread of the disease, the birds were killed at the weekend.

After being killed in accordance with animal welfare regulations, the affected farm was cleaned and disinfected. If the farm remains free of new cases for 21 days after cleaning, the protection zone is lifted. The area then belongs to the surveillance zone, which can be lifted after 30 days at the earliest.