Köpping warns of the spread of bird flu in Saxony

After several outbreaks of bird flu in Saxony, Minister of State Petra Köpping (SPD) has called on poultry farmers to strictly adhere to hygiene measures. "Strict compliance with biosecurity measures is currently essential for poultry farmers," said Köpping. In view of the strong bird migration and the high risk of infection, they are required to protect their flocks from contact with wild birds.

"These personal measures minimize the risk of an outbreak of avian influenza, which can lead to considerable animal suffering, the loss of the flock and thus to serious economic consequences," said Köpping. Suspected cases of disease and dead animals should be reported immediately and action taken quickly in an emergency.

Measures to contain the disease

The Ministry of Social Affairs has distributed information posters with rules of conduct for poultry farmers and the public. Dead or sick birds should be reported, but should not be touched or fed. In the event of illness in poultry flocks, the following applies: report, isolate, prevent.

Poultry farmers can also assess the risk of their stables anonymously and free of charge using the University of Vechta's risk traffic light. While avian influenza used to occur mainly in the cold winter months, outbreaks have increasingly been observed in other seasons in recent years.

This is due to several recent cases in Bavaria: last month, the disease was detected in a young swan in the Vogtland district and in two buzzards in the district of Leipzig. At the weekend, bird flu was also confirmed in a poultry farm in Grimma.

High risk for poultry - rare infection in humans

The animal disease is caused by certain influenza viruses that are often introduced by wild birds. After infection, the disease breaks out within a few hours or days. Infected animals suffer from shortness of breath, diarrhea and water retention in the head. Humans can also become infected, but this is rare.