Bird flu was confirmed at two chicken and turkey farms in the area last week. A total of around 200,000 animals were killed by Sunday. On Sunday evening, a young chicken farm with 29,000 animals reported suspected cases and a hobby chicken farmer also found dead animals in the barn.
Confirmed suspected case
The district administration has received a positive preliminary report from the Veterinary Department: This means that the young chicken farm with 29,000 animals, where suspected cases occurred yesterday, was found to be infected with bird flu. This means that these animals must also be killed.
Around 1,400 companies are located within the exclusion zone (protection and surveillance zone). Not all of them receive regular information about the current situation, as they complain to NÖN. District Farmers Association Chairman Andreas Pum also knows why this is so. “We have a data problem. As a room, we cannot access the data available. We found a list of about 900 companies. We have also written to them and provided them with regular information. But we are missing the contact addresses of about 300 to 400 companies.”
All possible protective measures were taken
The NÖN also spoke to the owner of a poultry farm in Wolfsbach, which is not affected by bird flu, but of course by the protection measures. 18,000 chickens are currently kept there in the locked stables. Another 18,000 new employees were supposed to be hired in December, which is obviously not allowed and is currently impossible. “We make every effort during the year of course to follow the hygiene rules conscientiously by changing clothes and shoes, but you can hardly do more every time you enter the stables,” says the farmer. To contain bird flu, the tires of all incoming trucks are washed and all possible protective measures are taken. The company, recently built in 2021, is also equipped with a spray cooling and humidification system, through which disinfectants can also be introduced into the room air, which should have a positive effect.
16 dead wild birds in the floodplain near Ardgarry
Bird flu also spreads among wild birds in the Amstetten area. Dead animals were found in the Au near Ardgarry last week. The samples taken confirmed that they had died of the disease.
As the mayor of Ardagger Hannes Pressl reports, 16 more dead animals (mainly young swans) were found from Grener’s hand in Voggenau alone at the weekend.
Dead swans were found again in the floodplain near Ard an Choig at the weekend.
Photo:
private
The correct rules of conduct:
- Do not touch animals found dead – keep dogs on a lead too
- Report dead animals immediately (please forward photo and location) to the BH
- Even if you keep small chickens, do not let the animals out and keep them in the stables.
Interview: The Impact of Bird Flu on Local Poultry Farms
Editor (Time.news): Good day, and thank you for joining us today. We’re here with Dr. Emily Turner, a veterinary epidemiologist specializing in avian diseases. Dr. Turner, there was recently an outbreak of bird flu in several farms in our area, resulting in the culling of around 200,000 animals. What can you tell us about the significance of this situation?
Dr. Emily Turner: Thank you for having me. The current outbreak is quite concerning, not just for animal health but for the poultry industry as a whole. The confirmed cases at the two farms indicate that the virus is present and can spread rapidly if not controlled. This outbreak forces farms in the area to adopt strict biosecurity measures to prevent further transmission.
Editor: Indeed, one of the farmers mentioned that they are strictly implementing hygiene protocols, such as changing clothes and shoes before entering the stables. How effective are such measures in controlling outbreaks?
Dr. Turner: These hygiene measures are critical. While they may seem tedious, they are necessary to minimize the risk of transmission. Additionally, washing tires of incoming trucks, as mentioned by the farmer, helps prevent the virus from spreading to other locations. Fully enclosed facilities combined with regular sanitation can greatly reduce the chance of an outbreak occurring, as we’re seeing now.
Editor: We’ve also heard from the District Farmers’ Association about some challenges in communication—specifically, a lack of access to data regarding the farms in the exclusion zone. How vital is effective communication in managing outbreaks like this?
Dr. Turner: Communication is absolutely essential during an outbreak. Without timely information, farmers may be left unaware of their risks, leading to unintentional spread of the virus. The association’s data problem is indeed serious; contact lists must be maintained to ensure that all farmers in a region receive proper notifications and guidelines on how to protect their flocks and themselves.
Editor: The article also mentioned that the situation is affecting farms even if they haven’t been directly impacted by the disease. A farmer in Wolfsbach is experiencing restrictions on expanding operations. How does bird flu affect businesses that are not infected directly?
Dr. Turner: The impact extends beyond infected farms. When bird flu is detected in an area, it creates a protection and surveillance zone that imposes restrictions on all local farms. This can halt new hires, as we see with the Wolfsbach farmer, and can also lead to an overall decrease in poultry sales and increase costs due to heightened biosecurity measures. The fear of infection can result in a significant economic downturn for the entire region.
Editor: Lastly, during such outbreaks, we often see reports of dead wild birds nearby. In this case, 16 dead wild birds were found in a floodplain. What is the connection between wild birds and the transmission of avian influenza?
Dr. Turner: Wild birds are a primary reservoir for various strains of avian influenza. They can carry the virus without showing any symptoms and can spread it to domestic poultry. Monitoring wild bird populations is crucial, as they can act as carriers, which is why finding dead birds is often alarming. It emphasizes the need for ongoing surveillance in both wild and domestic populations to control and prevent outbreaks effectively.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Turner, for shedding light on this pressing issue. It’s clear that both biosecurity and communication are vital to managing the threat of bird flu in our agricultural communities.
Dr. Turner: Thank you for having me. It’s important that we remain vigilant and proactive to protect our livestock and the livelihoods of those who depend on them.
Editor: And thank you to our audience for tuning in. Stay informed and take care!
