Schwerin (dpa/mv) – Four weeks after the outbreak of bird flu in stocks of hobby breeders in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, there are signs that the wave of infections is coming to an end. “The events are ebbing away noticeably,” said Minister of Agriculture Till Backhaus (SPD) on Monday in Schwerin. But at the same time he warned against carelessness. The virus continues to be rampant among wild birds, which are currently still en masse in the country on their way south. Therefore, caution is required to prevent jumping over to the poultry. The wildlife populations would continue to be observed, and individual animals would be examined by veterinarians.
According to Backhaus, it is certain that the most recent wave of infection had its origins in the national show of breed poultry breeders at the end of November in Demmin (Mecklenburg Lake District). There animals would have been infected with the highly contagious H5N1 virus. Since then, cases of infection have been registered in 56 attitudes. A total of 3800 ducks, chickens and pigeons would have had to be killed. For some breeders, the breeding successes that had been built up over decades were practically wiped out in one fell swoop. Fortunately, commercial fattening farms were spared in the north-east. “We hope that it stays that way and that everything goes well,” said Backhaus.
The state poultry show took place for the first time since the beginning of the corona pandemic. More than 200 owners, including breeders from northern Brandenburg, presented around 2,200 breeding animals. Backhaus expressed skepticism as to whether such shows should continue to be held in the future in autumn, when bird migration is at its peak. He announced talks with the Association of Poultry Breeders.
