With the cold season and especially since the beginning of winter, cases of bird flu are also reappearing in Bavaria. In the districts of Cham and Nürnberger Land, three cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have already been documented in wild birds, which is the scientific name for avian influenza or avian influenza. And four infected chickens were discovered in a small poultry farmer in the Erding district. The operation was closed and the total of around 50 chickens on the farm were killed. The experts at the State Office for Health and Food Safety (LGL) and the Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI), who are responsible for combating animal diseases in Bavaria and Germany, expect further cases in the coming weeks.
Avian influenza occurs mainly in waterfowl and chicken, it usually leads to the quick death of the infected animals. Chickens and turkeys can also be infected with the virus. In order to avoid the further spread of bird flu, affected populations are culled immediately. This is why the animal disease is particularly feared among poultry farmers. Bird flu is generally considered to be harmless to humans. However, birds found dead should not be touched and any findings should be reported to local veterinary authorities. “Not every species of bird is equally susceptible to bird flu,” says Torben Langer, a biologist at the State Association for Bird Protection (LBV). “Swans, geese, ducks and seagulls are particularly affected, and sometimes birds of prey and owls too.” Songbirds such as the robin or the sparrow, which live in the immediate vicinity of humans, played no role in the spread of the virus. Even if the avian flu spreads further, there is hardly any danger for humans to come into contact with the virus, says the biologist.
From the point of view of the LBV, there is no need to restrict winter bird feeding in the home garden or on the balcony because of bird flu. Nevertheless, the biologist advises paying attention to hygiene at the feeding places. “Bird feeders should be cleaned regularly,” says Langer. So-called feed columns, where the birds can get to the feed directly, are also a clean alternative to them. The biologist calls on dog owners to keep their four-legged friends on a leash near bodies of water so that they do not find dead wild birds or scare away any living, possibly infected specimens. The risk of infection for dogs is low, says Langer. “But in very rare cases, infections in dogs have already been detected.”
Central Europe and thus Bavaria were hit by one of the worst bird flu waves to date in winter 2020/2021. In the summer, as usual, the situation calmed down again, according to the LGL. In contrast to earlier waves of bird flu, however, there were also infections in the warm season. In addition, cooler temperatures and weaker UV radiation favor the survival of bird flu viruses in the environment. According to the LGL, more than 280 bird flu cases have already been documented across Germany this season. The Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut rates the risk of spreading this winter as high.