Because of the urgent suspicion of an outbreak of avian influenza, 15,000 fattening turkeys have to be killed on a farm in Leutershausen (Ansbach district). This was announced by the Ansbach district office on Monday. The veterinary office was informed by the police and veterinarians at the weekend that animals had died on the farm. The necessary steps were then taken immediately.
A final confirmation of the diagnosis of avian influenza from the Friedrich Löffler Institute is expected in the next few days. A restricted zone will be set up within a radius of ten kilometers around the farm in Leutershausen in order to prevent the animal disease from spreading further. In the meantime, avian influenza is no longer only brought in by migratory birds in Germany, but has also become established in the local populations and thus occurs independently of the season.
Even without the culling, which was planned for Monday, the animals on the farm would be certain to die, said the head of the Ansbach district veterinary office, Ralf Zechmeister. “Turkeys are significantly more sensitive than waterfowl and the viral load can also be many times higher in this animal species. It was therefore necessary for us to intervene quickly to prevent further spread and limit economic damage as much as possible,” said Zechmeister.
The cause of the outbreak of the disease is still unclear. According to initial findings, the regulations were complied with on the affected farm, and the structural conditions are good. After a transition phase, it will be possible to resume fattening operations.
According to current knowledge, avian influenza is not contagious to humans. However, citizens who find dead birds should not touch them and should report the finds to the local authorities, the veterinary office warned on Monday.