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Wiesbaden (dpa / lhe) - The avian influenza that has already occurred in other federal states has reached Hesse.
The pathogen was found in five mute swans found dead, said the Ministry of the Environment in Wiesbaden on Friday.
The animals were discovered in a protected area in Freiensteinau (Vogelsbergkreis).
Avian influenza has been increasing in Germany since the end of October.
There were cases in Brandenburg, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Bavaria, among others.
The ministry also said that compliance with the prescribed safety measures had been checked in the poultry farms near the site.
It is recommended that the animals be kept in closed stalls to protect them from the virus.
Further measures are currently not required.
Environment Minister Priska Hinz (Greens) appealed to poultry farmers, especially those with animals outdoors: “Strictly adhere to the safety measures.
This is the only way to prevent contact between your own animals and potentially infected wild birds. "
The infectious disease occurs mainly in waterfowl and other birds.
The influenza viruses that are currently widespread among wild birds in Germany are highly adapted to birds, the ministry said.
A transmission to humans is therefore unlikely.
Nevertheless, dead wild birds should not be touched with bare hands and a doctor should be consulted if symptoms of illness occur after contact.