Responsibility for reporting dead birds

The competent veterinary offices are the addressees for the reporting of dead and sick birds (wild birds and domestic poultry). Finding a dead bird in the field and forest is one of the normal processes of life, only when several birds have died at one location, information to the veterinary office makes sense.

Behaviour in case of suspected bird flu (in animals and humans)

The competent veterinary offices must be informed immediately if bird flu is suspected in wild birds and poultry.

The dead animals should never be touched without a glove or a plastic bag put over the hand.

Dogs and cats should be denied access to sick and dead birds. Cases of the disease are not yet known in them, but they can contribute to the spread of the pathogen.

The infection has started in the wild waterfowl on the Baltic Sea coast and on Lake Constance. Presumably, the virus came to us with the migratory birds and then infected the native birds. Birds that survive the disease develop antibodies and are then harmless.

Danger to animals (domestic poultry)

The responsibility for poultry is borne by their keeper, he must inform the veterinary office in case of suspicion of a disease The provisions of the Avian Influenza Ordinance apply to him.

There is always a danger for domestic poultry when direct (wild birds eat with) or indirect contacts arise due to transmission, especially of feces and feathers, between wild and domestic poultry.

All domestic poultry species except pigeons are at risk of contracting the H5N8 virus. In the wild birds, ducks and geese initially fell ill, but in the meantime the virus is also found in gulls and birds of prey because they have eaten dead animals.

Cases of mammals have not yet been detected.

Danger to humans

Human diseases of the current H5N8 virus have not yet been detected and have not yet been reported worldwide. A risk to humans is therefore regarded as low. Nevertheless, all hygiene and biosecurity measures must be fully observed when handling birds, poultry and poultry meat, as poultry can also carry other pathogens.

Precautionary measures

Poultry owners can protect their animals by avoiding contact with wild birds for themselves and their animals. The Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI) has published a leaflet that contains information on the necessary hygiene measures and is recommended to every poultry farmer.

Poultry farmers are subject to the provisions of the Avian Influenza Regulation. And the emergency decree of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture (BMEL) of 18 November 2016. This regulation is specifically aimed at poultry farmers with fewer than 1,000 animals. It requires that the poultry houses are secured so that unauthorised persons cannot enter and it requires the keeper to wear protective clothing intended only for the barn.

Dogs and cats should not be allowed in poultry houses at this time.

Handling of poultry meat

Meat from diseased or suspected infected animals is not sold, but is destroyed harmlessly.

But poultry meat from healthy animals can also be contaminated with bacterial or viral pathogens. Therefore, when processing poultry meat, the known hygiene measures must always be observed: The meat must be processed separately from other foods in particular and it must be completely reheated. Equipment (e.g. plates, knives, cutting boards) that has come into contact with raw poultry meat must be washed off and dried before being used for other foods.

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture (BMEL) and the Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI) provide detailed information on their websites.

A map with the outbreaks of avian influenza is constantly updated. The leaflet for poultry farmers can be found there as well as a risk assessment.