Delbrück (dpa / lnw) – The bird flu, which is very contagious for poultry, has been detected in Delbrück in the Paderborn district on a farm for rearing young hens. According to the order of the district veterinary office, around 122,000 animals were culled from the stock, the Ministry of Agriculture in Düsseldorf announced on Monday. The Federal Research Institute for Animal Health had confirmed the outbreak of the insidious animal disease.
At the same time, measures were taken in the Paderborn district to prevent further infections. A protection zone within a radius of three kilometers and a surveillance zone within a radius of ten kilometers have been set up around the affected facility. Poultry, poultry meat, eggs, feed, manure and bedding may not be brought in or out of the flock in these areas. In addition, poultry must remain in the stables.
Minister of Agriculture Silke Gorißen explained: “Since October 2020, Germany and Europe have been experiencing the most severe avian influenza epidemic situation to date”. The proven virus is extremely aggressive and causes great suffering for the affected animals, said the CDU politician. In the winter months of 2022/23, the virus has so far been detected in more than 20 poultry farms in North Rhine-Westphalia. There are many farms with poultry farming in East Westphalia.