City raises awareness of the spread of avian influenza

The Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut has confirmed the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus type H5N1 in the dead wild bird found in the city of Erlangen. In the meantime, there is also a second suspected case in a dead wild bird, which is currently being investigated.

To protect against the further spread of avian influenza and in particular to protect domestic and farm poultry, the city of Erlangen has therefore issued a general ruling ordering protective measures in the city area. The general order is published in the official gazette 'Die amtlichen Seiten' No. 3 B of February 4, 2025 and comes into force on Tuesday, February 4. The protective measures laid down therein apply to commercial poultry farmers as well as breeders and private individuals who keep poultry.

What is prohibited

Exhibitions, markets, shows and similar events at which poultry and kept birds of species other than poultry are sold, traded or displayed are prohibited. There is also a general ban on feeding wild poultry in the urban area. Businesses are obliged to consistently comply with the general hygiene and biosecurity measures.

What you should do

• Close contact with sick or dead poultry should be avoided and wild birds found dead should not be touched or moved.
• If several birds are found dead in one place, please inform the municipal veterinary office (telephone 09131 86-1725) or by e-mail(veterinaeramt@stadt.erlangen.de).

The general ruling can be downloaded from the Internet at www.erlangen.de/das. The State Office for Health and Food Safety has a leaflet for poultry farmers on the Internet at www.lgl.bayern.de (keyword avian influenza).

Note:

In the original report from Friday, January 31, it was stated incorrectly: "According to the current state of knowledge, human infection is not possible." The correct wording should be: "According to the Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety, there is no known human infection in Germany with the H5N1 subtype of avian influenza virus that has been circulating recently."

The Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety (LGL) writes in detail:

"In principle, HPAI viruses are considered potentially zoonotic pathogens, i.e. depending on the virus strain, they may also cause disease in humans. Intensive direct contact with infected poultry or their virus-containing excretions is required for possible transmission. Human infection with the recently circulating avian influenza viruses of subtype H5N1 is not known in Germany. This virus is poorly adapted to humans and transmission from birds to humans is therefore rare.

In general, people who come into contact with infected poultry should watch out for the onset of respiratory symptoms or conjunctivitis. As soon as symptoms occur, a doctor should be consulted immediately. In addition, general hygiene rules apply: in general, dead birds should not be touched with bare hands and hands should be washed thoroughly with soap and water if contact has occurred."

Further information can be found at

https://www.lgl.bayern.de/tiergesundheit/tierkrankheiten/virusinfektionen/gefluegelpest/et_gefluegelpest_in_bayern.htm#gefahr