Germany reports mass spread of bird flu in Westphalia

Suspected cases of infection with highly contagious avian influenza virus in North Rhine-Westphalia have been confirmed. This year, the outbreak came earlier and is more intense than in 2020.

The Friedrich-Löffler Institute detected a highly contagious avian influenza virus (influenza A virus subtype H5N1) in 50,400 turkeys on two farms. Both farms are located in the municipality of Delbrück in the district of Paderborn. All birds were culled. On November 20, 2021, a viral disease also broke out on a farm in Lippstadt in the Soest district. The Düsseldorf Ministry of Agriculture announced that 8,600 sick turkey poults and 8,000 chickens had to be killed here as a precautionary measure.

“Avian flu outbreaks have hit the local poultry industry hard. The detected virus is very aggressive and leads to the death of a large number of animals with severe symptoms,” said Secretary of State Dr. Heinrich Bottermann.  

Among other things, protective zones within a radius of three kilometers and surveillance zones within a radius of ten kilometers around the affected farms are designed to prevent further infection. Established exclusion zones apply to the districts of Gütersloh and Warendorf. Here, especially tough conditions are imposed on poultry farmers. To contain animal disease, all chickens, turkeys and other poultry in the areas of Paderborn, Gütersloh and Soest must remain indoors. In addition, exhibitions and bird fairs are prohibited throughout the region. These preventive measures are designed to prevent the spread of avian influenza.