Schmölln-Putzkau/Radibor (dpa/sn) - In the district of Bautzen, there have been outbreaks of avian influenza in two companies. In order to protect the stock, a restricted zone was set up within a radius of ten kilometers around a breeding facility in Schmölln-Putzkau, the Bautzen district office announced on Monday. The communities of Burkau, Bischofswerda, Großhartau, Großröhrsdorf, Demitz-Thumitz, Doberschau-Gaußig, Elstra, Rammenau, Neukirch, Schmölln-Putzkau, Steinigtwolmsdorf and Wilthen are said to be affected.
The second outbreak was found on Monday in a mixed poultry farm in Radibor. However, because the risk of the pathogens spreading is considered to be low, there was no restricted zone here.
The viruses are spread by migratory birds, among other things, and can also be transmitted to humans at high infectious doses. In order to fight the viral disease, animals are killed in suspected farms. An outbreak of bird pest is notifiable.
