Germany facing first case of H5N8 bird flu
A highly pathogenic H5N8 strain of avian influenza has been isolated on a turkey farm in the north east of Germany – its first confirmed case on the European continent.
According to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), the outbreak occurred in Heinrichswalde, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, north-east Germany. The OIE confirmed 31,000 turkeys for fattening had been culled.
Local media has said all poultry within a 50km radius is to be kept indoors and extensive testing of animals in a 3km radius is underway.
The report stipulates that symptoms of H5N8 were first identified over the weekend, and tests confirming the strain led to the culling of the flock on the 6th November.
The OIE notification says movement controls have been placed on poultry in the country. Further details are expected to emerge in the coming days.
Source: Poultry World
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