Bird flu suspected in France and Austria

The French and Austrian authorities have confirmed that there are new suspected cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds in their territories. Germany has also confirmed the occurrence of disease in Thuringia.

All three Member States are applying the precautionary measures set out under EU legislation. National laboratories are also working intensively to determine whether the outbreaks were caused by the H5N1 virus.

In Germany, the national reference laboratory has now confirmed the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in a black-necked grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) in Thuringia, close to the border with Saxony.

The French authorities have reported a suspicion of the H5 virus in 3 wild swans found dead in the Moselle department, and are carrying out further tests in the national reference laboratory to confirm the exact strain of the disease.

A suspicion of highly pathogenic avian influenza has also been reported in the district of Gmunden, Upper Austria, based on clinical signs of the disease in a number of wild birds. The Austrian national authorities have sent samples from these birds to the national reference laboratory and expect results on the strain of the virus in the coming days.