“An outbreak of bird flu in three poultry farms in the Amstetten area has unfortunately been confirmed,” announced the responsible state councilor Susanne Rosenkranz. The authorities ordered the slaughter of a total of 189,000 animals.
The state of Lower Austria has taken all necessary measures. A protection zone within a radius of three kilometers and a monitoring zone within a radius of ten kilometers have been set up around the companies concerned, Rosenkranz informed. The zones will remain in place for at least 21 days or 30 days after the establishments concerned have been cleaned and disinfected. According to the Farmers’ Association, there are 180 businesses within the protection zone (three kilometer radius), and a total of 1,200 within the ten kilometer zone. Of course there are also those who have very few chickens. By law, all chicken keepers must register with the BH, even if they only have one or two chickens.
The Farmers’ Association endeavors to provide businesses with all the necessary information in a timely manner. “We hope that the measures taken so far can prevent the spread of the disease. The problem is that the sources of the infection are not yet known and it is not possible to track the spread of bird flu in the area,” says the Chairman of the District Farmers’ Association, Andreas Pum. The experts at the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES) are trying to get rid of this.
A general obligation to keep stables within the exclusion zone (the sum of the protection and surveillance zone) applies. Products from unaffected companies may also not be taken out of the exclusion zone. “But there can be exceptions. We are currently working on this and we are also working with the Farmers’ Association,” says Gerersdorfer.
Both the district governor and the chamber chairman emphasized that the 189,000 chickens and turkeys were of course slaughtered in accordance with the specified animal welfare standards. Special companies take care of this on site.
The country also hopes that it will be able to limit the spread of the disease: ”I ask our farmers in this region to be especially careful and cautious. If there are any abnormalities, I ask you to inform the responsible authorities immediately,” says Rosenkranz.
The following relates in detail to the exclusion zone (the sum of the protection and surveillance zone):
- Poultry can only be brought into a business (including a slaughterhouse) or removed from a business with the approval of the district administrative authority.
- Everyone who enters poultry houses must comply with the appropriate biosecurity measures (eg: disinfection at the entrances and exits of the houses, changing shoes and clothes, etc.). Visits must be documented.
- All vehicles entering or leaving a poultry farm must undergo appropriate disinfection measures.
- If there is an increased mortality of poultry on the farm, this must be reported immediately to the responsible district administrative authority.
- The poultry kept must be segregated (under cover) so that it is protected from contact with wild birds. This applies regardless of the size of the herd, which means that the obligation to keep stables also applies to small businesses with less than 50 animals!
- Since September 2024, the number of cases of avian influenza (avian influenza, HPAI, “bird flu”) in wild birds found dead in Austria and Europe has been increasing. It is recommended to follow biosecurity measures to prevent the entry of avian influenza.
- Avian influenza is a disease of birds caused by influenza viruses and is easily spread by migratory birds. The H5N1 subtype is highly pathogenic (causes severe illness) to birds and can cause significant losses in poultry flocks.
- No human infection has ever been detected in Austria.
Time.news Interview: Understanding the Bird Flu Outbreak in Lower Austria
Editor: Welcome, and thank you for joining us today. We’re here to discuss the recent bird flu outbreak in the Amstetten area of Lower Austria. Joining me is Dr. Anna Schmidt, an expert in veterinary epidemiology and infectious diseases. Dr. Schmidt, can you give us a brief overview of what’s happening?
Dr. Schmidt: Certainly. There has been a confirmed outbreak of bird flu at three poultry farms in the Amstetten region, which has led to the decision to slaughter approximately 189,000 chickens and turkeys. This is a significant measure aimed at controlling the spread of the virus.
Editor: That sounds quite alarming. What specific measures are being implemented to contain this outbreak?
Dr. Schmidt: The authorities have established a protection zone with a three-kilometer radius around the affected farms, along with a monitoring zone extending ten kilometers out. These zones will undergo strict regulations for at least 21 days—30 days if necessary—after the farms have been cleaned and disinfected. Chicken keepers within these areas are required to register their flocks, regardless of size, to ensure thorough monitoring.
Editor: It seems like a comprehensive approach. The Farmers’ Association mentioned a lack of clarity about the source of infection. How critical is it to identify the source, and why?
Dr. Schmidt: Identifying the source is crucial for several reasons. First, it helps to prevent future outbreaks by allowing us to understand how the virus is entering poultry farms. Moreover, tracking the spread of the infection is essential to implement effective control measures. Without this information, it becomes challenging to manage the situation effectively.
Editor: In terms of animal welfare, we’ve learned that the slaughtering process adheres to specific standards. How are these standards monitored during such outbreaks?
Dr. Schmidt: During any outbreak, it’s paramount that animal welfare standards are maintained. Special companies, which are trained and equipped to handle such cases, carry out the slaughtering. They operate under strict regulations to ensure that humane practices are followed. This not only ensures the welfare of the animals but also helps to maintain public trust in the response to the outbreak.
Editor: What would you say to farmers in the region who might be concerned about their livelihoods?
Dr. Schmidt: I understand their concerns. The advice for farmers is to remain vigilant and report any unusual occurrences in their flocks to the authorities immediately. It’s also vital for them to stick to the guidelines set forth by health authorities to mitigate the spread. Prevention is always better than reaction, and collective action will be key in overcoming this challenge.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Schmidt. As we wrap up, what can residents outside the immediate outbreak area do to ensure they remain informed and prepared?
Dr. Schmidt: Residents should stay informed about the situation through reliable sources such as local authorities and health agencies. It’s also important that those who keep poultry follow biosecurity measures to prevent any potential introduction of the virus into their flocks. Simple steps such as keeping flocks away from wild birds and maintaining cleanliness can go a long way in prevention.
Editor: Thank you for your insights, Dr. Schmidt. It’s been a pleasure discussing this important topic with you. We hope for a swift resolution to the outbreak and appreciate the work being done to contain it.
Dr. Schmidt: Thank you for having me. Let’s hope for the best for the farmers and the community involved.