The veterinary office of the district of Goslar, which is also responsible for the city of Salzgitter, points out a significantly increased risk of the occurrence of avian influenza in domestic poultry in fall 2021.

The office refers to a current risk assessment by the Friedrich Löffler Institute. According to this, the infection has been consistently detected in breeding wild birds over the summer of 2021, especially in Nordic countries in Europe, and the incidence of infection has therefore - in contrast to previous years - not come to a standstill. The risk of a renewed outbreak of avian influenza in Germany during the fall months is therefore classified as high.

Against this background, owners of domestic poultry are urgently recommended to observe biosecurity measures in their holdings.

These include

• Preventing direct and indirect contact between domestic and wild poultry (for example, covering fire extinguishing ponds on company premises, erecting fences, covering - where possible - open runs with bird netting)
• Avoid direct contact between people and pets and sick or dead wild birds
• Keep food, bedding and tools out of reach of wild birds
• Use tap water for watering the poultry (no rain or surface water)
• Feeding in the poultry house
• Rodent control
• Immediately inform a veterinarian if unusual losses are detected in the flock (three or more animals within 24 hours in flocks of up to 100 animals) or if there is a sharp drop in the laying performance of chickens.
• The Veterinary Office draws particular attention to the obligation for chicken and turkey keepers to have their animals vaccinated against "Newcastle disease" (atypical avian influenza)!

If you have any questions, please contact the Veterinary Office on (05321) 700-841 or (05341) 839-2420.