Bird flu: 1,500 animals killed on organic farm in Stormarn
on 22/12/2012 12:00
Bird flu is back in the North. On an organic farm in Tangstedt in Stormarn the authorities were on Thursday night as a precaution kill 500 geese and 1000 hens. The farm was disinfected and disposed of manure around the farm set up a one kilometer-wide exclusion zone. Is now all poultry farmers keep their animals in the stables, the meat can not be sold.
During a routine check on the farm for some geese Tangstedter the H5N3 flu virus was detected. Maybe have a wild goose infected the free-running animals, speculates the CEO. Symptoms they had shown no.
In early 2006 in Schleswig-Holstein dead wild birds were found with the H5N1 flu virus - influenza. At that time, the breeder had in much of the country by bringing their animals in the barn. The H5N1 virus was and is a fire hazard and transferable to humans. IN QUESTION When newly discovered H5N3 virus contrast, there are a relatively harmless variant, a spokeswoman for the Kiel Environmental and Agriculture Ministry stressed immediately. It had to animals only slightly pathogenic effect.For humans there is no danger of contagion was "almost impossible".However: Flu viruses can mutate easily, experts say. From the H5N3-could so probably still a H5N1 virus, are especially when chickens were infected. In order to prevent exactly that Tangstedter animals were slaughtered as a precaution.
Also of the motorcycles sold as Christmas roast goose Tangstedter'm no danger, explains Stormarn district Klau Ploger (SPD). "Everything you have in the freezers, you can eat calms," said the Chief Executive.Even the - not the usual - eating raw meat was safe for expert information. For other animals also there was no danger. "Pets can be petted continue in peace," says Klaus Ploger. The Tangstedter operation offers its customers before the festival, meanwhile, to spare Bratgänse of other organic-farms.
The H5N3 virus has now been demonstrated for the first time in Schleswig-Holstein. In early December veterinarians had already found him in a small poultry farm in Hesse. Last year there was a case in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, 2010, some cases in several other states. In addition, the type of virus in mallard ducks in the Czech Republic and wild birds in Georgia has been demonstrated.
In Kiel country house you're worried, despite the clear ministerial, will monitor developments closely. For the FDP calls for their Oliver Kumbartzky deputy environment minister Robert Habeck (Green) on already to inform Parliament fully...