The number of avian flu cases in Germany has risen sharply over the past two weeks, according to Agriculture Minister Alois Rainer, who proposed enhanced protective measures to stop the virus’s spread.
“The rapid spread of infection over the last 14 days shows that the situation is serious, and coordinated measures are essential,” Rainer said.
He noted that there are multiple hot spots, both among wild birds and poultry farms, adding that such outbreaks are not unusual for this time of year.
More than 1,000 dead birds have been found near Berlin, believed to have died from avian flu. The Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Agriculture announced that approximately 15,000 birds will be culled at a poultry farm in Öllingen due to the virus.
Avian flu is a highly infectious disease, often fatal for birds, but not dangerous to humans. The Ministry of Agriculture emphasized that the priority is to prevent the virus from spreading, protect animals, and minimize damage to agriculture and the food industry.
In addition, the ministry has requested that the European Union increase compensation for valuable domestic birds that must be culled, from €50 to €110 per bird, to support farmers.
