Tweet
Second case of avian influenza in Berlin
Press release from January 30th, 2021
A second case of avian influenza occurred in Berlin this season. The H5N8 pathogen was detected in a wild bird (mallard) in the Britzer Garten in the Neuk?lln district. Evidence was provided yesterday by the national reference laboratory at the Friedrich Loeffler Institute. The responsible veterinary and food office of the district is currently examining whether and which measures are being taken.
In November, the first case of this season was detected in Berlin. It was a wild goose in the Steglitz-Zehlendorf district.
In contrast to the subtype H5N1 known as “bird flu”, the pathogen H5N8 has not yet appeared as being transmissible to humans. However, the virus poses a threat to poultry populations and the keeping of birds in zoological facilities.
The virus has already appeared in wild birds in Germany in the past few weeks. The pathogen has already been detected in the current season in Brandenburg, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Schleswig-Holstein and Bavaria, among others. Avian influenza last occurred in around 60 wild birds in Berlin in the winter of 2016/2017.
Even if a transmission of the pathogen to humans is not yet known, the following should be noted: Anyone who finds dead water, ravens or birds of prey should report the find to the district veterinary offices so that the animals can be examined. Sick or dead animals should never be touched, and feathers should not be collected. In contrast to water birds, ravens or birds of prey, songbirds and pigeons are not considered to be particularly susceptible to the avian influenza pathogen.
Poultry farmers are asked to give their animals special protection from contact with wild birds. Food, litter and watering must be inaccessible to wild birds. For hobby farms too, the stables and locations should be secured against unauthorized entry.
https://www.berlin.de/sen/justva/pre...ng.1046909.php