Avian influenza: Surveillance zone affects the district of Böseckendorf
Following the officially confirmed outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI, subtype H5N1) in the district of Göttingen in Lower Saxony, the veterinary office of the Eichsfeld district has issued a general ruling establishing protective measures. The background to this is a confirmed outbreak in the municipality of Rollshausen (district of Germershausen). The resulting 10-kilometre surveillance zone extends into the Eichsfeld district. Only the district of Böseckendorf in the municipality of Teistungen is affected.
Housing requirement and other measures
Binding animal health measures apply to the surveillance zone with immediate effect. These include in particular:
Confinement requirement: Poultry and other captive birds must be separated from wild birds and kept in closed housing.
Reporting requirement: All poultry farmers who have not yet reported their livestock must do so immediately to the veterinary office.
Transport bans: The transport of poultry, eggs, meat and certain animal products into or out of the stocks is prohibited.
Enhanced hygiene and biosecurity measures, including disinfection of vehicles, equipment and stable entrances.
Event ban: Poultry shows, markets and similar events are prohibited.
In addition, poultry farmers are obliged to monitor their stocks carefully on a daily basis and to report any abnormalities, such as increased mortality rates or drops in performance, immediately.
Avian influenza is a highly contagious viral disease that poses a serious threat to domestic poultry stocks in particular. Wild waterfowl are considered to be a natural reservoir for the virus. The aim of the measures imposed is to effectively prevent the further spread of the disease and to protect general animal health and poultry stocks.
The general ruling shall enter into force on the day after its publication and shall remain in force until it is repealed. It is immediately enforceable. The exact boundaries of the surveillance zone can be viewed on the Eichsfeld district website and on an interactive map. In addition, all further details of the measures ordered can be found in the Eichsfeld district official gazette, which is published on the district's homepage. The veterinary office is available to advise poultry farmers on any queries they may have.
Contact:
Eichsfeld District Veterinary Office
03606 650-3901
veterinaeramt@kreis-eic.de
