Geflügelpest

Responsibility for reporting dead birds

The addressee for the notification of dead and diseased birds (wild birds and domestic poultry) is the respective competent veterinary office. Finding a dead bird in the field or forest is a normal part of life. Only if several birds have died at the same site should the veterinary office be informed.

Behaviour in case of suspected bird flu (in animals and humans)

The responsible veterinary offices are to be informed immediately in case of suspicion of avian influenza in wild birds and domestic poultry.

Dead animals should never be handled without gloves or a plastic bag placed over the hand.

Dogs and cats should be denied access to sick and dead birds. No cases of disease have been reported in them, but they may contribute to the spread of the pathogen.

The infection has started in free-living waterfowl on the Baltic coast and at Lake Constance. Presumably, the virus came to us with migratory birds and then infected domestic birds. Birds that survive the disease develop antibodies and are then harmless.

Danger for animals (domestic poultry)

The responsibility for domestic poultry is borne by their keeper, who must inform the veterinary office if an epidemic is suspected For him, the provisions of the Avian Influenza Ordinance apply.

There is a danger for domestic poultry whenever there is direct (wild birds eat with) or indirect contact through transmission, especially of droppings and feathers, between wild and domestic poultry.

All domestic poultry species except pigeons are at risk of contracting the H5N8 virus. In wild birds, ducks and geese initially became ill, but the virus is now also being found in gulls and birds of prey because they have eaten dead animals.

Cases of illness in mammals have not yet been detected.

Danger for humans

Human illnesses from the current H5N8 virus have not yet been detected and have not been reported worldwide. A risk to humans is therefore considered to be low. Notwithstanding this, all hygiene and biosecurity measures should be fully observed when handling birds, poultry and poultry meat, as poultry may also carry other pathogens.

Precautionary measures

Keepers of poultry can protect their animals by avoiding contact with wild birds for themselves and their animals. The Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute (FLI) has published a leaflet containing advice on the necessary hygiene measures, which is recommended for every poultry keeper.

Poultry farmers are subject to the provisions of the Avian Influenza Ordinance. And the Emergency Ordinance of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture (BMEL) of 18 November 2016. This ordinance is explicitly aimed at poultry farmers with less than 1,000 birds. It requires that poultry houses be secured so that unauthorized persons cannot enter and it requires that the animal keeper wear protective clothing intended only for the house.

Dogs and cats should not be allowed in poultry houses at this time.

Handling poultry meat

Meat from sick animals or animals suspected of being infected is not traded, but is disposed of harmlessly.

However, poultry meat from healthy animals can also be contaminated with bacterial or viral pathogens. Therefore, the known hygiene measures must always be observed when processing poultry meat: In particular, the meat must be processed separately from other foodstuffs and it must be heated through completely. Equipment (e.g. plates, knives, cutting boards) that have come into contact with raw poultry meat must be washed and dried before being used for other foodstuffs.

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture (BMEL) and the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute (FLI) provide detailed information on their websites.

A map showing outbreaks of avian influenza is constantly updated. The leaflet for poultry farmers can be found there as well as a risk assessment.

At present, wild birds and domestic poultry living near water are suffering from avian influenza. The pathogen is the influenza virus H5N8. It is highly contagious for wild birds and domestic poultry and causes severe symptoms of the disease. Wild ducks die, occasionally also other water birds, gulls and predators. So far, no cases of the disease have been observed in mammals or humans.

Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture

Division 221

Phone: +49 (0) 3 0 / 1 85 29 - 0
Fax: +49 (3) 0 / 1 85 29 - 42 62

E-mail: poststelle@bmel.bund.de