On the same day, a neighboring small farm with ten chickens and ten ducks was also suspected of having avian influenza, the state of Upper Austria announced on Thursday. Both farms were closed by the competent veterinary authority. In one case the remaining animals were killed under official supervision and in the other case the relevant samples were sent to AGES.
Transmission to humans unlikely
The H5N1 subtype is currently rampant in birds across Europe and is highly contagious to a number of bird species, including most domestic fowl. This virus is poorly adapted to humans, so transmission from birds to humans is a rare event: almost all human infections are due to very close, prolonged contact with infected or sick birds, or their faeces, when humans and birds are together living under one roof, including the recently reported case of avian influenza in a human in the UK.
Increased protective measures
In any case, the recommended increased protective measures when handling poultry and wild birds should be observed, recommends the state of Upper Austria. Poultry farmers should only enter all stables and enclosures after thorough cleaning and disinfection of their shoes or with protective clothing and overshoes used exclusively there.
Waterfowl and birds of prey found dead must be reported to the responsible district administration authority (official veterinarian). The dead animals should not be touched and should be left where they were found. The authorities will arrange for them to be recovered and for further investigations to be carried out.
In coordination between the Ministry of Health and the state authority, an expansion of the risk area is now being considered, which will lead to the obligation to keep stables for farms with more than 350 poultry.
Source: Nachrichten
