Bird flu alarms Hesse: 44 new cases and strict protective measures!

Bird flu alarms Hesse: 44 new cases and strict protective measures!

Concern about bird flu is growing in Hesse, as the number of confirmed cases has now exceeded the 40 mark. As of Monday afternoon, 44 confirmed infections have already been registered in several districts of the state hessenschau.de reported. The affected areas range from Giessen to Frankfurt to the Werra-Meißner district.

Above all, cranes, swans, wild geese and gray herons are the main characters in this health drama. The virus often spreads through the feces of sick animals, which puts chickens and turkeys at particular risk. Ducks and geese, on the other hand, pose a slightly lower risk. The current outbreak is largely due to the cranes that migrate through Hesse on their wintering route.

High risk of infection for poultry

The symptoms in infected chickens are worrying. These include lethargy, refusal to eat or drink, and shortness of breath. Slimy-green diarrhea and ruffled feathers are also typical signs. Although transmission of the virus to humans is theoretically possible, the likelihood remains low, especially if one does not have close contact with infected poultry.

There is currently no known risk for the population in Germany of suffering serious illnesses due to bird flu. However, certain precautionary measures should be taken. Loud tagesschau.de Seasonal flu vaccination is recommended for people who have frequent contact with poultry. The health authorities also warn against having contact with dead or sick birds and ask that such finds be reported to the veterinary office.

Extensive measures in Hesse

But that's not all: In several Hessian districts and cities, stable requirements for poultry have been imposed in order to slow the spread of the virus. However, there is still no nationwide requirement to have stables. In addition, various protective measures must be implemented, such as making watering holes and food inaccessible to wild birds and using protective clothing for employees.

In other federal states the extent of the problem is even more drastic. In Baden-Württemberg, 15,000 animals from a poultry farm have already had to be killed, while in Lower Saxony over 20,000 turkeys have been culled. In total, more than 200,000 chickens, geese, ducks and turkeys have been killed due to outbreaks this fall. This represents a significant threat to agriculture, which is why the Federal Minister of Agricultureabove all, urgently calls for increased protective measures.

In times like these, strict adherence to hygiene rules and avoiding contact with wild birds is crucial. Private households should make a habit of avoiding food for ducks and swans, while feeding songbirds should only be done with appropriate hygiene. Our healthcare system is prepared for the potential risks, but we can only hope that we can get through this wave together.