German Officials Confirm Swans Died Of H5N1 Bird Flu Infection

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Main Category: Bird Flu / Avian Flu
Also Included In: Flu / Cold / SARS;  Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Article Date: 15 Feb 2006 - 15:00 PDT

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Scientists in Germany say further tests confirm that the H5N1 bird flu virus strain was detected in two dead swans in the north of the country. Farmers in Germany have been ordered to keep all farmed poultry indoors to prevent poultry stocks from becoming infected. This order had been planned for March, but authorities decided to bring it forward.

The swans were found on the island of Ruegen, off the coast of Germany, in the Baltic Sea. The spread westward of the H5N1 bird flu strain is taking western Europe from two ends - the far south in Sicily, where infected birds were found a few days ago, and the Baltic Sea.

Austria has also confirmed that two dead swans died of bird flu infection (H5N1). Various other countries in Europe are ordering their farmers to keep their poultry indoors (Sweden, Denmark). Over the last ten years the sale of free-range chickens and eggs has grown substantially in Europe. (A free range chicken, as opposed to a battery chicken, moves around freely on grass in the open).

The United Nations food agency has asked Western European governments not to panic. It added, however, that the spread could be accelerated as soon as birds start to migrate from Africa in the Spring.

German authorities have imposed an exclusion zone around the area where the dead swans were found. An emergency meeting is being held today by German health authorities.

According to the Robert Koch Institute, the top research authority in Germany, people need not panic as the threat of human infection has not increased as a result of these two dead swans. Even though scientists are sure the dead swans died of bird flu, further tests are being carried out in Surrey, England.

Economists say the psychological impact is already taking its toll financially in the region. In Italy, according to a recent survey, 80% of people have stopped buying chicken, costing poultry farmers and distributors about 600 million euros since October 2005.

Other countries in Europe, such as the UK, wait on anxiously as the bird flu virus gets closer and closer. Many people have been writing to Medical News Today with the following questions (if anyone knows the answer please write to me - Christian@medicalnewstoday.com):

"I have a cat. If bird flu comes here (to England) what do I do with my cat? She likes to bring dead birds into the house. Should I keep her indoors.?"

"I have a pet parrot. When bird flu arrives here is the parrot in any danger? Am I in any danger? What should I do?"

"I live in London. The park down the road is full of swans and ducks in the ponds. If bird flu comes here, should I keep away from the park? Will the authorities get rid of them? What will happen?"

"My 14 year-old son is in the boy scouts. He is going camping later on this year. I worry whether I should let him go if avian influenza has reached France (where I live) by then."

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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