German authorities cull 130,000 poultry near Berlin as bird flu spreads, with wild birds including cranes now affected for first time
BERLIN: German authorities have ordered the culling of approximately 130,000 ducks and chickens on farms near Berlin amid a surge in bird flu cases.
The disease was detected in a duck farm housing around 80,000 birds and a broiler chicken farm with about 50,000 birds.
The Maerkisch-Oderland district in Brandenburg confirmed the decision was made for animal welfare and health reasons.
Several German states have implemented measures to slow the virus spread, including surveillance zones and stall confinement orders.
German Agriculture Minister Alois Rainer warned of a very rapid increase in infections over the past two weeks.
The Friedrich Loeffler Institute has assessed the outbreak risk as high due to wild bird involvement.
Wild birds including cranes are affected for the first time, indicating potential widespread transmission.
Authorities advise the public to avoid contact with sick or dead animals to prevent disease spread.
The institute acknowledges possible bird-to-human transmission in theory while considering the actual danger low. – AFP
