Vogelgrippe

Bird flu (avian influenza) is an animal disease that can occur in poultry.

Avian influenza is an animal disease that can occur in poultry, particularly chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese, but also in other poultry, swans and other wild birds. The official name is therefore "avian influenza".

There are different types of this disease, which cause disease in animals in different ways; for example, the H5N1 or H7N7 virus types. Transmission to humans is possible in individual cases through intensive contact with infected poultry, but not through the consumption of poultry products, especially if they have been heated.

Since the first case of bird flu in wild birds in Germany, stricter protective measures have been in place nationwide in infection areas and in so-called risk areas, where the transmission of the virus from wild birds to domestic poultry is higher than in other areas.

Anyone keeping chickens, turkeys, guinea fowl, partridges, pheasants, ratites such as ostriches, emus or nandus, quails or geese must keep them in closed stables or in an aviary or protected run protected from entry by wild birds.

An application can be made to the veterinary authority of the district/city for a derogation from the obligation to keep the birds indoors. The competent veterinary authority can approve the application if the poultry flock is not located in a restricted or observation area and is not in the immediate vicinity of a large coastal or inland waterway.

Poultry that may be kept outdoors with a special permit must be virologically tested once a month.

The costs of testing are borne by the keeper or owner. Information on the costs of the tests can be obtained from the Schleswig-Holstein State Laboratory.

Further information can also be found on the state portal "Agriculture and Environment Schleswig-Holstein" and on the website of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL).

• To the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Areas, Europe and Consumer Protection (MLLEV).
• to the Schleswig-Holstein State Laboratory (Food, Veterinary and Environmental Investigation Office) or
• to the veterinary offices of the districts/cities.

Application forms can be found in the state portal "Agriculture and Environment Schleswig-Holstein".