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Düsseldorf (dpa / lnw) - The danger of further spread of avian influenza has not yet been averted in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Environment Minister Ursula Heinen-Esser (CDU) said that the Detmold district was primarily affected by the current outbreaks.
There, the districts and the responsible veterinary investigation office remained “initially on alert”, according to a situation report published on Tuesday to the Düsseldorf state parliament.
Although a transmission of the avian influenza virus to humans is possible, such a case has not yet become known in Germany.
In the affected herds, however, the animals would have to be killed as quickly as possible, both by professional poultry farmers and by hobby farmers, in order to prevent the disease from spreading.
In one case, over 20,000 ducks in a fattening farm in Versmold (Gütersloh district) were affected in early March, and 7,000 turkeys in the Minden-Lübbecke district in another.
The minister called on citizens to report finds of dead water birds or birds of prey to the local veterinary office.
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The minister warned in a separate communication that the risk of introducing African swine fever into North Rhine-Westphalia is still high.
Just like avian influenza, this animal disease is not dangerous for humans.
For infected wild boars, however, the mortality rate is almost 100 percent.
"The pathogen can be transmitted through clothing, car tires or food," explained Heinen-Esser.
In unheated meat and sausage products, the pathogen could remain infectious for animals for months.
"Carelessly disposed of sausage bread can become a problem for animals," warned the minister.
Road and motorway maintenance depots are therefore urged to continue to consistently check fences and garbage cans, watch out for wild boar rooting tracks and implement safety measures.
Seasonal workers are urged not to import any food such as sausage products from home.
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© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210309-99-747676 / 2
Avian influenza situation report
Swine fever press release