Larger risk zones after new avian influenza cases – Austria –
According to AGES, numerous new cases of avian influenza have occurred in wild birds in Austria in the past few days. Suspected cases were also confirmed in individual companies, as stated in a broadcast on Thursday. “It is therefore not to be assumed that the situation will ease any time soon,” says AGES. In order to reduce the risk of further transmission, the “areas with a greatly increased risk of avian influenza” in Austria will be expanded on Friday (January 27th).
Regions throughout Austria are affected to varying degrees by the new regulation. According to the map published online by the Ministry of Health, the federal states of Upper Austria and Vienna are fully classified as areas with an increased risk. In those regions, poultry must be kept in closed or at least covered stables until further notice. This stable obligation applies to all farms and hobby farms with 50 or more animals. If fewer than 50 animals are kept, the regulation does not apply if ducks and geese are separated from other poultry. In this case, it must also be ensured that the poultry has no contact with wild birds and that feeding takes place only in the barn or under a shelter.
In the rest of Austria, poultry farmers remain obliged to prevent direct and indirect contact between poultry and wild birds. Avian influenza (bird flu) is an acute, highly contagious, feverish viral disease in birds. Chickens, turkeys and numerous wild bird species are highly susceptible to the virus.
In all previous cases, the subtype H5N1 was found, which is extremely pathogenic in birds. In the current epidemic situation, diseases after infection with H5N1 in Europe have not yet been detected in humans.
(SERVICE – A map showing the affected regions and detailed information on the measures are available on the Ministry of Health’s website.)