Düsseldorf (dpa / lnw) - After two further outbreaks of avian influenza in North Rhine-Westphalia, protective measures against the spread of the virus have been tightened. Around 8,000 animals were killed and disposed of in a company in Gütersloh and around 80 animals in a hobby facility in Münster, the NRW Ministry of Agriculture announced on Tuesday. Exclusion zones within a radius of three kilometers and surveillance zones within a radius of ten kilometers had already been set up around the affected companies at the weekend. There are particularly strict requirements for poultry farmers in these areas. Livestock owners must inform the competent veterinary authorities immediately of the number of birds they keep.
Agriculture Minister Silke Gorißen (CDU) called on poultry farmers to be even more vigilant. "The detected virus is extremely aggressive and causes great suffering for the affected animals," she said. Only consistently observed safety measures could protect domestic poultry stocks.
Animals should only be fed in places that are inaccessible to wild birds. In addition, no water to which wild birds have access may be used for watering the animals. Feed and bedding must be kept out of the reach of wild birds. Anyone who finds dead wild waterfowl or birds of prey should report this to the responsible veterinary office.
Avian influenza is a viral, highly contagious infectious disease affecting livestock and other birds. The risk of infection for humans is considered low.
Germany and Europe have been experiencing the worst avian influenza epidemic of all time since autumn 2020, it said. The state of North Rhine-Westphalia is planning further protective measures and additional regular examinations of poultry stocks.
In NRW, avian influenza reappeared for the first time in six months at the beginning of October. Affected was a hobby in Bottrop with 120 ducks, geese and chickens, all of which had to be killed and disposed of.
