Bird flu shock in Berlin: Two cranes dead, zoo takes action!

Bird flu shock in Berlin: Two cranes dead, zoo takes action!

The bird flu has now also reached Berlin, affecting two dead cranes that were found in the districts of Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf and Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg. These cranes tested positive for the virus, like the Daily Mirror reported. A total of five dead cranes have already been registered in the capital. The animals will now be further examined at the Friedrich Loeffler Institute in Greifswald as a reference laboratory, with the results expected next week.

The Senate administration has urgently warned the population not to touch sick or dead animals or their feathers and to report any findings immediately. This is particularly important because the virus, particularly the H5N1 subtype, can be transmitted to humans in rare cases, but human-to-human transmission has not yet been proven. To prevent further spread, all susceptible bird species in the Berlin Zoo and Tierpark are being moved to protected winter quarters.

Protective measures in animal parks

The situation in other zoos in Germany is similar to that in Berlin. Several animal facilities, including the Nuremberg Zoo, have already been closed due to fatal cases of bird flu. Munich's Hellabrunn Zoo, on the other hand, remains open, but has taken extensive safety precautions. According to a spokesman for the zoo, there are currently no cases of bird flu there. The control is carried out in close consultation with the veterinary authorities, and all direct contact between humans and animals has been stopped t online reported.

• Der Zoo hat Maßnahmen wie die vorübergehende Einstellung des „Rendezvous beim Lieblingstier“-Programms und die Schließung von Streichelzoos ergriffen.
• Zusätzliche Hygienevorkehrungen wurden vor Vogelhäusern und Käfigen eingeführt.
• Tierpfleger müssen Desinfizierungsmatten beim Betreten der Tierflächen nutzen.

Avian influenza is a serious problem that threatens not only wild birds but also domestic poultry. The Avian Influenza Ordinance, which has been in force in Germany since October 15, 2018, regulates numerous measures to combat the virus. Poultry keepers are obliged to register their business with the responsible authority. If animals are lost within a short period of time, the causes must be determined by a veterinarian in order to prevent the virus from spreading. These basic regulations are in Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture deposited.

The authorities are monitoring the situation and advise the population to be particularly careful. Even if the zoo and animal park in Berlin are still open regularly, it is recommended that you find out about the latest developments and follow the safety instructions from the specialist authorities. This is intended to minimize possible transmission of bird flu in urban areas.