Not only has a temporary ban on livestock transport been imposed in the eastern state of Brandenburg, but stricter regulations have also been established in central Germany to combat the spread of the H5N1 variant of avian influenza.
Additionally, in southern Germany there are concerns about the potential 'jump' of bovine tuberculosis from the Austrian province of Vorarlberg, located just 100 kilometers southwest of Munich. Austria has ordered several dozen livestock farms to cull more animals. Bovine tuberculosis has been present in the border region for over a month.
Random testing has again detected infections, despite a transport ban having been in place for more than a month. In the Bregenzerwald region of Vorarlberg, a large farm with more than 100 cattle has been shut down. The suspicion arose after abnormalities were discovered during slaughter in Germany.
Authorities have now identified about 60 other farms that have had contact with the infected farm, meaning that over 600 cattle could potentially be at risk. To control the situation, veterinary authorities, in consultation with the Ministry of Health, have decided on further cullings.
To prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease, the state of Berlin has determined that no cloven-hoofed animals may be exhibited during the international agricultural exhibition Green Week, taking place next week in Berlin. In Germany, the control of animal diseases is the responsibility of the individual federal states.
Federal Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir held a meeting on Monday with representatives of the agricultural sector to discuss the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. The central animal disease crisis team is scheduled to meet again on Tuesday. This crisis team had already convened last week following a new case of avian influenza in the state of Hesse.
The ministry advises strict compliance with biosecurity measures. Contact between domestic and wild birds must be avoided at all costs. Above all, wild birds must not have access to food, bedding, or other items that come into contact with domestic poultry. Poultry must also not drink from ditches, ponds, or puddles frequented by wild birds.
Poultry or bird exhibitions may only take place when strict safety rules are enforced alongside regional risk assessments. Gathering pedigree poultry from different origins at multi-day exhibitions should definitely be avoided.
Poultry farmers are advised to avoid participating in poultry exhibitions and similar events. To prevent further spread, poultry farmers are recommended to observe a waiting period of at least 21 days between visits to multiple exhibitions.