"Over half a million hens, ducks, geese and turkeys have been culled in Germany since the start of September as a virulent strain of bird flu sweeps the country. According to the Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI), the German government agency responsible for monitoring animal pestilence, there have been 30 registered outbreaks in poultry batteries and another 73 among wild birds. "And we're expecting more," a spokesperson told the dpa news agency, explaining that another 23 suspected cases are currently being investigated."
"According to the FLI, outbreaks of bird flu usually emerge at the start of November at the height of the migratory season, meaning that the current pestilence could still be yet to reach its peak. In the south-western state of Rhineland-Palatinate, local authorities said new suspected cases were reaching them on a daily basis and spoke of an "unusual dynamic.""
"According to the FLI, the outbreaks are being caused by the highly infectious H5N-1 strain of the HPAIV influenza virus commonly known as bird flu. In high doses, the virus is theoretically transmissible to humans, but the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Germany's federal agency for disease control and prevention, isn't aware of any such cases. Rather, the effect on humans could be more likely to be felt in the pocket, with Bavarian Poultry Union chairman Robert Schmack warning of a potential"
Over half a million hens, ducks, geese and turkeys have been culled in Germany since early September due to a virulent bird flu strain. The Friedrich Loeffler Institute has recorded 30 outbreaks in poultry holdings and 73 among wild birds, with 23 suspected cases under investigation. Outbreaks commonly emerge in early November during peak migration, so the situation may still intensify. The worst affected states include Lower Saxony, Thuringia, Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, with additional cases in Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia. Cranes have experienced high mortality in northern Brandenburg. The cause is the highly infectious H5N-1 HPAIV strain. The Robert Koch Institute reports no known human cases, though high-dose transmission is theoretically possible, and poultry industry leaders warn of potential economic impacts.
Read at www.dw.com
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