Bird flu causes alarm: cranes in Linum severely affected!

Bird flu causes alarm: cranes in Linum severely affected!

In Linum, a tranquil village in northeastern Germany, there is currently a high level of alarm due to the spread of bird flu. The number of dead birds that have already been collected and disposed of this fall is an alarming 2,220; Forecasts suggest that number could rise to 2,500 by the end of the week. Poultry farms in Lower Saxony, Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania are particularly affected, where over 525,000 animals have already had to be killed in order to contain the disease. The time reports that companies in these regions fear for their existence.

The situation is particularly aptly described this autumn at the crane resting place in Linum, which normally attracts numerous tourists. However, due to the current bird flu, it is more or less unvisited. Cranes, which are highly susceptible to the H5N1 virus, can become infected through contact with wild birds such as wild ducks and wild geese. These wild birds shed the virus without becoming seriously ill themselves, which makes the situation even more dangerous. Agriculture Minister Hanka Mittelstädt also emphasizes the solidarity of the helpers, including volunteers who are committed to combating the epidemic.

Current developments in poultry farming

Poultry farming faces major challenges in Linum and the rest of the country. In Brandenburg alone, 155,000 animals were killed in seven farms due to bird flu. Among the businesses affected is a goose farm that even had to give up 15,500 animals. These massive measures mean that the availability of fresh geese and ducks may be limited during the peak season around St. Martin's Day and Christmas.

Martin Beer, who heads the Institute for Virus Diagnostics at the Friedrich Loeffler Institute for Animal Health, is sounding the alarm. He explains that bird migration in particular is leading to an increase in influenza cases, especially bird flu, this season. Several deaths of cranes have already been documented in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Brandenburg and at the Kelbra reservoir. The infection usually occurs through contact with wild birds, which increases the risk of infection in the narrow groups of cranes. Mdr.de highlights that the situation could become more serious if bird migration continues.

However, the Agriculture Minister optimistically emphasizes that there will be no noticeable shortage of eggs. Nevertheless, there is great uncertainty in the agricultural sector and companies are required to improve their measures and overcome the existing challenges.