Hungen (dpa / lhe) - Because of the suspicion of avian influenza, all around 8500 animals of a turkey fattening farm in Hungen (Giessen district) have to be killed. This was ordered by the veterinary office, the district announced on Monday. After 50 turkeys died in the Utphe district of Hungen at the weekend, a veterinary investigation was carried out immediately by the poultry health service of the state of Hesse and examinations by the Hessian state laboratory in Gießen. The company responded quickly and correctly. By Monday, several hundred animals had already died on the farm.
The avian influenza pathogen H5 was detected in the first samples, further samples are now being clarified in the laboratory of the Friedrich-Löffler-Institute for Animal Health. Against the background of the considerable risk of infection, the speed of spread in the stock and also the suffering of the sick animals, their killing was necessary, explained Christian Zuckermann, Head of Veterinary Affairs in the Gießen district. "The protection of the animals of all surrounding attitudes has top priority."
The killed animals should then be disposed of harmlessly for the environment. In addition to the administrative staff of the district and the veterinary office, the Hessian Ministry of Agriculture and the Gießen regional council are also involved. A protection and a surveillance zone within a radius of three and ten kilometers are in preparation. Details are regulated by a general decree that is to come into force on November 10th.
Avian influenza, also known as bird flu, is a highly contagious animal disease. The pathogens are influenza viruses, which in principle can also be transmitted to humans, as it was said. Overall, according to the Robert Koch Institute, the risk of the current variant circulating in Germany can be assessed as very low. According to this, only people with close contact to infected poultry are at risk.
