Published Date: 2007-08-26 20:00:11
Subject: PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (146): Germany (Bavaria), domestic goose
Archive Number: 20070826.2805
AVIAN INFLUENZA (146): GERMANY (BAVARIA), DOMESTIC GOOSE
***********************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>
[1]
Date: Sun 26 Aug 2007
Source: DPA via Earthtimes [edited]
<http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/98207.html>
German officials were culling about 160 000 geese Sunday [26 Aug
2007] after the deadly H5N1 bird-flu virus was found in a poultry
farm near the southern city of Erlangen. The slaughter was ordered
after 400 geese were found dead in their compound on Friday [24 Aug
2007]. Tests by the Friedrich Loeffler Institute of Veterinary
Medicine found the lethal strain in 5 of the birds.
The area around the farm was sealed off as officials investigated
reports that the infected animals came from another poultry farm in
the northern state of Lower Saxony.
The H5N1 strain of avian influenza is fatal to humans but cannot yet
be transferred between humans. It has hit wild water-birds [swans,
ducks, geese, grebes, coots. - Mod.AS] and some domestic poultry [in
fact, a single domestic goose in a small holding. - Mod.AS] in other
parts of Germany this year [2007].
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail Rapporteur Mary Marshall
******
[2]
Date: Sun 26 Aug 2007
Source: Deutche-welle [edited]
<http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,2752566,00.html>
German health officials slaughtered 160 000 geese over the weekend
after the deadly H5N1 bird-flu virus was found in a poultry farm near
the southern city of Erlangen. The cull was ordered after 400 geese
were found dead.
A team of 8 vets and poultry workers at the farm in Wachenroth,
Bavaria, started what officials called the biggest ever culling
operation in Germany late on Saturday [25 Aug 2007]. The birds were
placed in 3 large containers where they were either gassed or
electrocuted, officials said, after the operation ended on Sunday afternoon.
Tests by the Friedrich Loeffler Institute of Veterinary Medicine had
found the lethal strain of the virus in 5 of the birds.
A 3-km exclusion zone was set up around the farm near the city of
Erlangen, which is about 200 km (120 miles) north of Munich, as
officials began tracking down the cause of the infection. Initial
reports said the infected animals came from another poultry farm in
the northern state of Lower Saxony, but this was later denied.
"We have not been able to pinpoint the source of outbreak," said
Bavarian Health Secretary Otmar Bernhard. Experts are expected to
keep trying to determine how the virus entered the farm.
The H5N1 strain of avian influenza has killed nearly 200 people in
recent years, mainly through direct contact with poultry. Most of the
victims have been in Asia. There have been no human deaths from bird
flu in Europe, where outbreaks [in animals] were reported recently in
several countries, including Germany and the Czech Republic.
Bird flu hit wild birds and some domestic poultry in other parts of
Germany this year [2007]. Wild birds can infect domesticated birds
with the highly pathogenic strain, and it is feared that it could
mutate into a strain that could be transmitted among humans.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>
[Erlangen is about 100 km west of the German-Czech border; map at
<http://www.supertravelnet.com/maps/?action=selmap&country=164_9008_5&language=1>.
The only other case of H5N1 affecting domestic fowl in Germany during
2007 was also recorded in a goose, namely in July 2007 in Thuringia
(see 20070710.2194). It will be interesting to see whether there is
an epidemiological background to this coincidence. - Mod.AS]
See Also
Avian influenza (145): Germany (Bavaria), Viet Nam 20070825.2794Avian influenza (140): Germany (Bavaria), wild duck 20070812.2633
Avian influenza, poultry vs migratory birds (30): Germany 20070811.2612
Avian influenza (127): Germany (multistate), wild birds, OIE 20070710.2194
Avian influenza (126): Germany (Thuringia), Viet Nam 20070709.2185
Avian influenza (125): Germany (Thuringia), domest... 20070707.2169
Avian influenza (123): Review, Germany, France, wild birds 20070706.2155
Avian influenza (122): Germany (Thuringia), France... 20070705.2135
Avian influenza (119): Germany, France, wild birds... 20070703.2116
Avian influenza (118): Czech-German virus sequence 20070701.2104
Avian influenza (117): Germany, wild birds 20070629.2090
Avian influenza (116): Germany (Bavaria), OIE 20070628.2082
Avian influenza (113): Germany (Bavaria, Saxony) 20070627.2068
Avian influenza (112): Germany (Saxony), wild birds 20070626.2064
Avian influenza (111): Germany (Bavaria), wild birds 20070626.2055
...............................................arn/msp/dk
*##########################################################*
************************************************************
ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
************************************************************
Become a ProMED-mail Premium Subscriber at
<http://www.isid.org/ProMEDMail_Premium.shtml>
************************************************************
Visit ProMED-mail's web site at <http://www.promedmail.org>.
Send all items for posting to: promed@promedmail.org
(NOT to an individual moderator). If you do not give your
full name and affiliation, it may not be posted. Send
commands to subscribe/unsubscribe, get archives, help,
etc. to: majordomo@promedmail.org. For assistance from a
human being send mail to: owner-promed@promedmail.org.
############################################################
############################################################