Germany - Dead pelican infected with HP H5N8 in Opel Zoo, Kronberg, Hessen .

[Gert van der Hoek]

Bird flu case in the Opel Zoo

29 november 2016

In a dead pink pelican at the Opel Zoo in Kronberg (Taunus), the bird flu virus H5N8 has been detected.

According to the Hessian Ministry of the Environment on Tuesday, the pelican was found dead in the enclosure last week. The Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut had investigated the carcass. On Tuesday, the research facility confirmed that the bird had been tested positive for the high-infected virus. This is the third confirmed case of the avian influenza virus in Hessen.

The entire bird population is now being investigated to determine whether there are other infected animals. The results should be available at the end of the week. The other pelicans living in the Opel zoo would have been strictly separated from the other birds since the previous week and would not have had any contact with visitors. Up to now, the pelicans did not show clinical symptoms and do not have to be killed for the time being. They shall be quarantined until the completion of the investigations.

The zoo remains closed for visitors until further notice. Also the publicly accessible route, which leads through the zoo area, is to be closed.