More bird flu in Europe: now also poultry house obligation in Austria

Due to the current bird flu situation, the authorities have classified the whole of Austria as an area of increased risk. This means that there are stricter safety measures for poultry farmers: they must install nets and covers to prevent contact between their animals and wild birds as much as possible. 

In 25 regions, a general obligation to keep animals indoors for stables with more than 50 animals applies until further notice. Farms with fewer than 50 animals are exempt from this obligation to keep animals indoors, provided that ducks and geese are kept separate and their animals are protected from contact with wild birds.

Austrian poultry may only be fed in the stable or in a shelter. Water from reservoirs to which wild birds have access may not be used. Ducks and geese must be kept separate from other poultry.

All poultry farmers are also asked to pay special attention to their biosecurity, such as stable clothing, hand hygiene and measures to control rodents in the stables.

There is a reporting requirement for dead waterfowl. Veterinarians must ensure that dead animals are recovered and examined. Passers-by may not touch the animals and leave them where they were found.

In Europe, outbreaks of bird flu (avian influenza, avian flu) are increasingly observed each spring and autumn. The virus can easily be transmitted to domestic poultry via infected wild birds or their droppings. It is highly contagious. In poultry, the disease is usually fatal.

To date, no cases of bird flu have been reported in humans in Europe. In rare cases, very close contact with infected birds (e.g. workers on poultry farms) can lead to transmission from birds to humans. The infection leads to flu-like symptoms. However, according to experts, transmission to humans via food can be ruled out.

Due to bird migration, more waterfowl are arriving in the Netherlands these weeks. However, there are no reports of increased mortality among wild birds in countries north of the Netherlands. In other parts of Europe, relatively many outbreaks have been reported since the beginning of September this year, especially in Hungary and Poland. There have also been outbreaks in France and Italy.