Bird flu shock: 150,000 hens in Vechta have to be killed!

Bird flu shock: 150,000 hens in Vechta have to be killed!

Avian influenza, a serious problem for agriculture in Lower Saxony, is spreading rapidly. In the Vechta district, a total of almost 150,000 laying and turkey hens have to be killed due to two confirmed outbreaks. The first infection was detected in the community of Goldenstedt, followed by another case in a district of the city of Vechta. The killing of these animals is already being prepared as the situation is serious. While Lower Saxony has the most cases with 17 companies, outbreaks have also been reported in ten other federal states. Here, bird flu, officially known as HPAIV (H5N1), has proven to be a highly contagious and often fatal viral disease in animals, causing symptoms such as high fever, loss of appetite, and shortness of breath. However, according to the Robert Koch Institute, there is currently a very low risk for humans.

But a look at the numbers shows the extent of the crisis: Since the beginning of the ongoing epidemic, over 150,000 animals have already been killed in Lower Saxony. On Friday alone, four new outbreaks were reported on farms, with one case affecting 130,000 animals. In the municipality of Lutten, 130,000 laying hens are on the hit list, while in Vechta an additional 13,150 turkey hens have to be culled. The pressure is growing on poultry farmers, who are calling for nationwide compulsory stables due to the situation in order to protect the animals and prevent the virus from spreading further. Several districts such as Cloppenburg, Diepholz, Emsland, Heidekreis and Stade are currently also affected. The Cloppenburg district has recorded the most outbreaks with seven cases.

Protective measures and economic impacts

Agriculture Minister Miriam Staudte (Greens) speaks of regionally different outbreaks and emphasizes the economic pressure behind the calls for compulsory stables. Saarland is the first federal state to impose a requirement for poultry to be kept in stables, which will soon come into force. A further sign of urgency is the Federal Ministry of Agriculture's request to the EU to increase the upper limit for compensation payments from 50 euros to up to 110 euros. Half of the maximum rate is borne by the state and the Lower Saxony Animal Disease Fund, which is intended to benefit the affected farmers.

The economic consequences are already being felt. Rising prices for duck and goose meat are expected as zoos prepare for possible impacts of the outbreak. The President of the German Poultry Industry, Friedrich-Otto Ripke, recommends taking the animals out of the wild in order to minimize the risk of infection.

Outside the stables: A look at the wild birds

Cranes are also particularly affected among wild birds. It is estimated that around 2,000 cranes have already died from avian influenza this year, many of them in northern Brandenburg and other infected areas. The handling of diseased or dead wild birds requires particular caution and the public is urged to report such finds to the relevant authorities. Hygiene rules for poultry farmers must be strictly adhered to in order to protect the health of the animals and ultimately also of people.

Avian influenza remains a serious issue and it is clear that action is needed. The regional regulations and recommendations should not be underestimated in order to stop the spread of the virus and support agriculture in Lower Saxony in these challenging times.

Overall, it appears that bird flu poses a comprehensive challenge to the poultry industry, posing both economic and health risks. The call for increased protective measures is becoming louder and louder and is essential to master the situation and prevent greater damage.